So Much for That Idea- And, an Update

At Christmastime, I sent out this really nice postcard to our friends and family telling them all about our blog. I had been writing so often, finding great joy and contentment in the process of recording our life and gathering things that make me happy in one place! I had BIG PLANS!!! Then, I think because I told everybody about the blog, I started to feel like it had to be something really special. Something clever and unique. It became too big and no longer just for me but for other people. Well, no more. This blog is for me. It is for my little family and if someone happens to stumble across it and find something good then, well, great!

So, for my records here is a list of happenings from the last few months during my writing sabbatical (not in chronological order – but in order of when the memory comes back to me):

Last month, Grant and I celebrated our 17th anniversary by going to The Chateaux in Deer Valley overnight. It was so romantic. Grant surprised me by bringing our “Love Book”. It is a blank book I made when I was taking bookbinding. We have been writing love letters to each other for the past 17 years. We took turns reading entries to each other. It was such a wonderful idea and so nice to hear the entries in our voices. Another romantic thing he did: Before I put on my socks in the morning, he warmed them one by one in front of the fire. I didn’t realize warm socks on a snowy morning could be such a luxury! I loved his thoughtfulness. I also loved the night before sitting in the hot tub together as the snow came down on us! It was so beautiful. And peaceful. Oh, and did I mention the food? We went to an Italian restaurant in Park City called Grappa that, while over-priced, was delicious. It was one of those places that had an explosion of new flavors. We ate marinated grapes! And I never knew that oyster mushrooms tasted like turkey!On Easter night, William had a seizure. Then over the space of a few weeks he had six more, all at night. It was a scary time.  He had and EEG and MRI and was diagnosed with Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy. He is on anti-seizure medication now and responding well. He hasn’t had one in three weeks. There were a couple of times when I knew God was watching over William because He put me in the right place at the right time to save him from some life-threatening situations. A plus? Sam and Lizzie appreciate their little brother more because they almost lost him twice. I have found them sitting in his room a few times tenderly holding his hand and watching him sleep. Here is William during his EEG:

Speaking of Easter. I saw adorable Easter pics all over Facebook. Other people’s children had nice matching outfits and were posing sweetly. This is the picture I got of our children just before our egg hunt:

Also in April, I decided it was time to get ready to go back to work since my kids will all be in school all day next year. I met with a designer to look over my portfolio and he basically told me that my work was dated and irrelevant (with the exception of the few things I’ve designed in the last few years- a CD cover, a logo, a business card and a couple of Christmas cards. It was very disappointing but not a big surprise. The world of graphic design changes so fast. He suggested I try to build up my freelance portfolio so I have more recent things. I came home to work on my own personal brand and found that all my design programs stopped working because I had updated my OS. I looked all over and could not find the discs. With William’s health issues starting at the same time and the difficulty with my computer, I took it as a sign that maybe now was not the time to be going back to work. Incidentally, as soon as I made that decision, both programs (Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop) magically started to work!

When I was considering going back to work Anna said, “I don’t want you to get a job. I just want you to be a normal shopping mom. If you got a job, we would run out of food!” I feel so important… About the same time I said to Sam, “I’m going to apply at Costco. Would you be embarrassed if I worked at Costco? (You never know what will embarrass a teenager) Sam emphatically exclaimed, “No, I wouldn’t be embarrassed! You could get me tons of food!!!” I’m afraid I have produced food-driven kids.

Gramma B threw a surprise party for William with the cousins and aunts. He was so pleased and surprised! One of the toddler cousins had a touch of the flu. We all got it! It just moved from one person to the next like a wildfire. It was funny to see who the virus took down in each family. Anna and I had this conversation: Anna, “I can’t believe I threw up three times in one night!” Me, “I know!”Anna, “Good thing it wasn’t chunky!” Me, “I agree.” Anna, (turning a little green) “Ok, let’s not talk about my throw-up anymore…”

We had a wonderful trip to Capitol Reef with our great friends, the Saxeys and Sam’s friend Stephen Sessions. It was cold and rainy for part of the time but still fun. One of the highlights was our big soccer game in the orchards planted in 1880 that are right next to the campground. I love Capitol Reef. I love the Fruita Campground and it’s pioneer heritage. We had an eventful hike where Sam and Stephen had a brush with death that ended with an answered prayer and divine protection.

Sam decided to not leave American Heritage School to go to the public high school. We have told him that the choice is up to him and that he has all the tools needed to make the best decision for him. I am thrilled with his decision because I love AHS and think it is such a unique and amazing place for our children to be. I also love that my whole family is in the same place every day.

I am putting the finishing touches on our trip to Glacier National Park and Banff coming up in July. We can’t wait! We will be camping for four nights in Glacier and four nights in Banff. It will be our first out-of-state trip with our big van/cargo trailer combo. It will be nice to see how it works.

I am disgusted with the whole political situation of our country. I have been very disinterested politically, practically my whole life. Now that I am a little more aware, I am appalled that the Republican party has allowed a narcissistic, bigoted, ego-maniac like Donald Trump to represent our party. He can’t even speak in a dignified way without profanity!  And I am dismayed that the Democrats are nominating Hillary Clinton, who is dishonest and so unpleasant to listen to! For the first time ever I may not vote. It is a sad, sad situation.

A couple months ago Sam became officially taller than me and now he towers over me. Lizzie was just measured and is 1/2 and inch shorter than my 5’9″ (and 30 pounds lighter than my 160 lbs). I think Sam still has a lot of growing to do and Lizzie may be slowing down.

Lizzie completed her “Master Project”. This is a very significant event in the life of a seventh grader at American Heritage School. It is a five month project (Yes! FIVE MONTHS!) on someone who has furthered the cause of Christ. Some common topics are: Corrie Ten Boom, Joseph Smith, Joan of Arc, William Bradford, William Wilberforce… Two years ago Sam did Saint Nicholas. He was the first seventh grader ever to choose him and mainly did because he was a staunch believer in Santa Claus. Lizzie chose to do her project on her great-great-grandmother and personal hero, Minerva Teichert, the painter and frontierswoman. It was a marvelous experience for her. She felt as if her grandmother was with her in spirit along the way. It was very tender to see her grow closer to someone who had gone before. This is the poem she wrote from Minerva’s perspective:

Preserving My Legacy
My grandma was a pioneer,
My fathers sailed the sea,
So they might find a better life,
And live in liberty.

They walked with carts for miles long,
To pray to God above,
Now I can take the blessings full,
And share their family love.

I have a living history,
I want to share with you,
Through words that every tongue can speak,
So you can tell them too.

When these are passed from mouth to mouth,
The stories never die
I paint to share history’s truth
So it will not pass by.

The lord has blessed me with a heart,
That knows just what is light
Missionaries share with what they know
And all will turn out right.

When with paint I share Christ’s cause
With people who are lost
My paintings then have higher worth
They could have no higher cost

William is trying out for competition soccer teams this week. He is so excited he can hardly sleep. He loves soccer more than food.

Sam switched from viola to piano. I love that he wants to learn the piano but I am having a really hard time giving up on my dreams for him to play the viola. I also miss hearing him play. The viola has such a lovely resonant sound. He is loving the piano.

William is on the last song of Suzuki Violin book 2. He is excited to be in the same book as Lizzie. Sam and Lizzie performed a cello, viola duet in church last Sunday. The song, Be Still My Soul. It was lovely.

My dad and Sheri came home from their mission in Texas. They were here for a few days and it was wonderful to see them. They come back next month for anther brief visit. I wish they lived closer.

This is the last week of school for the kids. We are all excited for summer to start. Though I am a little apprehensive about the messes that get left out all day long in the summer.

In March the boys and I were running errands in Salt Lake. We got rear-ended in a three car pile-up. Our car was the only one who drove away from it. The other two cars were totaled. My car was damaged but not too bad.  I am grateful I drive a tank. This is one of the cars involved:

In March I did a little re-decorating and re-arranging. I moved Anna and William into the same room (neither want to sleep alone anyway). Their bedroom only contains books and clothing (thanks Whitney for the idea!) All of their toys went into the newly designated toy room. I painted the walls and finished the closet under the stairs which I turned into Anna’s princess room. It is a big closet that I taped and mudded and painted a lilac color. It has a couple of book shelves in it and all her dress-ups. I feel pretty proud of myself. Sam moved upstairs and I love having him up here. I just wish all our kids could be across the hall from us instead of in the basement.

I colored my hair for the first time ever. Well, unless you count (which I don’t) the time in college that my friend, Emily and I bought some six week hair dye from the grocery store. I was so nervous, even though it wasn’t permanent, that I chose the same color of my hair.  I couldn’t even tell that I dyed it! This time, I wanted to get rid of the grey that is popping up all over my head. Chad, my hair guy, basically did the same thing I did in college-but with much nicer product and more skill. He dyed my hair the same color it is to cover the grey. I like it but I don’t think I’ll do it very often. It is too expensive and doesn’t seem to cover the grey very well.

I have been hiking by myself lately during the day. I realized that I have a real fear of moose since the time 18 years ago when Grant and I were hiking in Park City with my family and we were repeatedly charged by a moose. It was terrifying. I have been trying to overcome my fear, enjoy the amazing scenery this time of year and help Charlie (and myself) to get back in shape. I like taking the dogs with me and feel safer with them there.

Grant reached his five year mark since he became bishop of our church congregation. It has been so rewarding and so busy. Typically, bishops serve for about five years. I am a little nervous about him being released because he is someone who is always busy but at least now it is consecrated business! I will always cherish this time in our family’s life. I will also cherish more time with my husband!

I almost didn’t have a garden this year. The field grass had taken over and I felt totally overwhelmed. I also have a cane borer infestation in my berry patch. Anna and William helped me in the garden and we are back on track. The task seems too big before I get out there and get going, but once I do, it feels so good. I love to help in the process of creation.Lastly, I want to end this VERY LONG post with one of my favorite photos from this spring: