An Exciting Week

It has been a busy week.  Wednesday afternoon Andrew and I made a cake for his cub scout cake decorating activity.  He decorated it by himself. He had lots of fun.  The pack meeting we went to that evening was fun.  They remembered that they didn’t hand out mentor pins the month before so they had some of us come up to get our pins.  Andrew got to pin the Bear pin on me.  He has worked hard in the scout program.  We all enjoyed lots of cake too, every boy brought one. 

Andrew and his cake, with Caleb in the back ground (he loves getting in pictures)

Someone in the ward took some pictures of me and Andrew up front, that was nice.

Thursday Ruth and I were able to get our new glasses.  Ruth’s are working great for her.  I am having a hard time adjusting to bifocals.  I went in yesterday and they adjusted them some.  I am giving them a good try.  They work great when I am sitting doing things, computer, sewing, reading and doing a puzzle.  But to be up and walking and driving I am having a hard time with them.  I think I will get a second pair of glasses that are just my distance vision to use when I am moving around.

Thursday evening I called Neal, like I do every night.  He answered the phone and it sounded different to me.  Then he told me he was in Colorado and would be home in about an hour and a half.  He had brought his things to work and left work a little early and set out to come see us.  It was nice to have him home, earlier than expected.  He was with us all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning.  The kids enjoyed waking up Friday morning and having him home.  He even made them waffles for breakfast that day.  

Thursday evening I went next door to our neighbors home.  They had invited neighbors over for a special celebration for their baby.  I learned more about it that night.  They are from Nepal and it is a big celebration for babies when they start eating solid foods.  I didn’t realize how big of a thing it was and wasn’t totally prepared.  They had a full dinner served, I had some and participated with the cake.  Then I left. I did enjoy visiting with some of the neighbors I have only seen around.  On Friday our neighbor brought over left over food from their dinner, so Neal was able to enjoy some of it too.  They have been friendly neighbors.  Sunday after church Neal decided to go over and thank them for the food and give them a Book of Mormon.  They invited him in and talked with him for a bit.  They told Neal about a big earth quake in Nepal that happened on Saturday.  We hadn’t heard about it yet.  Neal was able to give them the book and share some things with them too.  It was a good visit.  They did tell us that so far their families were okay, but didn’t have their house to be in. I have read more about it on the internet and it sounds like a bad earth quake.

Friday after school we went to the Big Dry Creek Park with the kids and played for a bit.  It was a pretty day and we had walked and rode bikes over there.  For dinner that evening we went to the Sweet Tomato restaurant and met friends.  We had a nice dinner with them and enjoyed visiting.

Saturday morning we decided to go back to the same park.  Neal and Andrew rode bikes around and the other kids had fun playing.  It was a pretty day to be outside.  Saturday afternoon we enjoyed a visit with Neal’s parents.  They were on their way to their mission in Iowa and stopped in for an afternoon visit.  They had lunch with us and played games with the kids.  It was nice to see them.  We wish them well on their mission.

The weather was so nice, we ate lunch outside and enjoyed playing some croquet. 

Some group shots right before Neal's parents left. 

Sunday we went to church together as a family, that was nice.  I was in nursery like usual.  I was feeling like I needed something more to lift me spiritually.  The kids are cute and all, but I have been feeling drained and needed something more.  Then the nursery leader commented that things were slow and the kids were playing well, then she asked if I wanted to go to Relief Society.  I did and enjoyed going into the class.  I was late, but enjoyed being there.  I don’t remember much about the lesson now, but the spirit in the room was wonderful for me and I felt strengthened.  One fun thing was that the Young Women were in RS.  I didn’t know about that and it was fun to see Ruth sitting there with her class.  

Sunday afternoon Neal drove back to Albuquerque. I started the other 1000 piece puzzle that I bought from the thrift store.  As I started putting together the boarder I realized that it wasn’t matching the picture on the box.  Then I noticed that there was a date and name on the corner of the puzzle.  I typed that into a search on the computer and in about five minutes I found a picture that matched what I could see on the boarder.  Pretty cool what you can do with the internet sometimes.  I have enjoyed doing the puzzle this week.  It is actually coming together rather easily.  It is a fun picture too.

We have done things with friends this week.  Two times Justin came over to play.  And this morning we met the friends at the city sponsored nature walk.  It was fun to be outside with friends.  We played at a play ground for a while after the walk and enjoyed visiting.  We also met some new friends.  Caleb had fun going to story time Tuesday morning too.  He is doing well with his social skills and amazes people all the time that he is as young as he is and yet knows so much.  He is an amazing kid.  

Monday evening we had Logan and Parker come over for our Family Home Evening.  I was happy that Parker was able to come too, at first I thought it would just be Logan.  We had our regular song, prayer, scripture, and lesson.  I explained to the boys what we were doing and they participated well.  Then we did a game.  My three boys with their two friends got very excited about the game and went a bit crazy.  I think the biggest thing was that everyone kept wanting to wrestle with each other.  At one point all five of them were piled on each other, laughing and rolling around on the floor.  Thankfully no one was hurt and nothing got broken.  We enjoyed some cookies and milk and then the boys went home.  I thought it went well, especially when Logan asked if we do this every week and asked if he could come again.  

I am thankful for friends and family.

Spring Time!

Last week I counted the days we had until we moved and I discovered something.  We passed our half way point.  Amazingly it is an even 100 days from when Neal left until we move.  Last week we hit day 50.  So, it is all down hill now.  Things are going okay but it is hard.  I get tired and I miss having Neal here with the family.  I am sure he misses us too.  I am glad I can talk to him every day and on Sunday we do a video chat in the afternoon.  He will be home this coming week end and it will be good to see him.

Last week I had an eye doctor appointment.  Caleb went to play with Jackson in the ward.  He had lots of fun.  I visit teach Jackson’s mom and the boys have fun playing together when we go there.  (Which we did this morning.)  It snowed on Thursday, the day of my appointment.  We had heavy snow fall right at the time I had to be out.  It was crazy and cold.  I am glad that it didn’t last.  I got some new glasses ordered and hope they can help me to see better.  My eyes changed again, my far vision got worse and my near vision did too.  I am going to try progressive bifocals.  I hope they work.  On Friday I went back for an appointment for Ruth after school.  She is excited to get new glasses too.  The boys had fun playing at the Turner’s home while we were at the doctor.

Saturday Ruth and I went to the Stake center for a clothing exchange.  A young woman in the Stake had organized it and she did a good job having things orderly.  Ruth found a few things and I actually found something surprising.  I found an Eddie Bauer dress that was my size and even a tall!  The interesting thing is that I had use to have this same dress about 15 years ago, but it got too small so I gave it away.  So this dress I found is an old style but it is in good shape.  I opened a photo album and found a picture of me wearing the dress right away.  It was fun to show that I really did have one like it before.  The kids were interested in looking at the pictures of me from 2000 and I commented at how cute I look before gaining weight with having kids.  Then Spencer looked at me and said “you are still cute.”  That was sweet of him.

Andrew finished the 1000 piece puzzle Saturday.  When he got down to the last piece he called everyone together and had us watch him put it in.  He was ready to start another puzzle right away.  I suggested we enjoy the picture of this one for a week and then start the other one I bought.  Maybe we can finish it.  Without Rachel’s help, like she did with the first one during her spring break visit, it might be hard to get it done in a month.

Spencer did a great thing this week.  He invited his friend over for Family Home Evening.  He said he told Logan about what it was and asked if he could come over.  Logan asked his mom and she said yes.  Later I went over to talk to the mom and extended the invitation to the mom and the older son.  She declined coming, but said Logan could come,  Parker already has something that evening and couldn’t.  I was a bit sad at first that she said no, then I remembered something I heard recently.  I was successful with my invitation to do something religious with my family, I made the invitation, she chose to not accept it.  It made me think that I need to give the invitation more often.

Monday I went to a luncheon with the other Nursery workers.  One of the ladies is moving next week and we did a lunch to say good bye to her.  It was nice to sit and visit with them and not worry about the little kids.  Although Caleb and one of the other boys had gone outside to play and turned on the water and played in a muddy puddle for a bit.  Thankfully only his socks got messy.  At least he had his shoes off so they weren’t a mess.  So we should have been watching them better!

Last night Ruth had the opportunity to babysit.  The youth in the ward do service babysitting once a month to help families go to the temple.  Ruth was with two other Beehives in the ward babysitting a family with young children.  She came home tired but said it was fun to be with the kids.  I am glad that her first time babysitting someone besides her brothers went well.

It is a sunny spring day today.  I have been enjoying the smells of spring here.  All the flowering trees and bushes that have scents, it is nice.  I should go for a walk now.  We are going to meet some friends at the park for lunch today.  Caleb loves playing with friends and loves play grounds.  I am thankful for friends.

Happy Birthday!

Last Thursday was Ruth’s 12^th birthday.  She was so excited for the day to come.  She enjoyed going to school and her friends had decorated her locker.  That evening we had some cake and Ruth enjoyed talking with her grandparents and dad on the phone. Ruth was excited about her gifts from the Hubbard’s.  Grandma had made cute wall hangings with values on them.  I gave her a box of Lego and a book she wanted.  She had a happy day.

Friday the kids didn’t have school.  One of those days for teacher compensation or something or other.  We were happy to have a day off school.  Ruth had a birthday party with her five best friends.  They were cute girls and giggled a lot.  Ruth and I prepared a lunch for her friends.  We set the table all fancy with the china and glass dishes.  It looked pretty.  I bought her a small bouquet of flowers to have as a center piece.  After they ate Ruth just wanted to “hang out” with her friends.  So it was pretty easy for me, we didn’t have any games planned.  The girls ended up going outside and playing some games with a ball and running around.  It was a nice day to be outside.  Then we had some cake and ice cream and opened gifts. Ruth got lots of gum.  I think her friends have gotten her hooked on chewing it.  She also got two gift cards for books and had fun picking some out to buy. Ruth was happy with how the party went. The boys went to their friends, the Turner’s, home to play.  They had a fun time with their friends too.

It was birthday party week.  Caleb went to a party Wednesday afternoon for his friend Justin.  Andrew went to a party Saturday for his friend Wyatt from church.  They all enjoyed the parties and the fun.

Sunday Ruth had an interview with the Bishop and was happy that she now has a limited use temple recommend.  We will have to find a time to go to the temple together.  Although, realistically, we probably wont get there until we are in Albuquerque where we will be living just a few miles away from a temple.  Ruth really enjoyed going to Young Women’s on Sunday.  She was given a necklace with the YW torch and her personal progress books.  Last evening she went to her first activity and loved it.  I am glad that the girls are all being so kind to her in this transition.

Sunday afternoon we did a video chat with Neal.  It was nice to talk to him.  The kids talked a little and the younger ones were silly.  Then they left to go play while I talked to Neal.  At the end of our call I was saying good bye and Caleb heard me and called out “don’t turn off Daddy!”  It was fun. 

Yesterday Spencer went on a school field trip to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  I asked him how it went and the first thing he said was “we didn’t ‘see it all’” quoting what I had said to him when we went over spring break that we were going to “see it all” before we left.  He said it was fun to see things that he did see and be with his friends.  

Yesterday morning I took Caleb to the library and after story time we went outside and helped with a community thing.  They were doing a presentation from the Mayor of the city about child abuse prevention month.  Then they had children (that is where Caleb helped out) plant pinwheels in the ground in front of the library.  He thought it was great.  In fact he stayed and helped until they were done.  Then they also had treats for the kids.  He enjoyed that part too.  This morning I took Caleb on a Nature Walk, sponsored by the city.  We met at the Anthem trailhead in the north end of the city and walked around a pond.  The lady leading it talked to the kids about the “signs of spring.”  He colored a picture and they also read a story.  It was a nice outing.  We had some friends from church meet us there too.

These first pictures are the tulips at the library that I took last week.

Caleb helping with the pinwheels

Andrew was excited that he learned to fold paper cranes.  He has been making a lot of them.  He had some state testing this week and hasn’t been excited about school.  He enjoyed going to scouts last night though.

I am keeping busy with everyone and trying to keep going.  I get tired but things are going okay.  I even started working on sewing Ruth’s dress.  I hope to do more soon.  I really would like to get it done before we move.

Easter

I am enjoying the spring time weather.  We are seeing many flowering trees in bloom.  I also think it is fun to see tulips.  I also look forward to seeing lilacs in bloom and let my kids experience smelling them.  Things we didn’t get to see and do in Texas.  I am enjoying going for walks and Caleb likes all the play grounds around us. 

Last week end we had General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It was wonderful to listen to our leaders and hear their messages on family.  Being separated from Neal at this time has had me thinking a lot about family and how important it is to have a mother and father in the home.  I have been reading “The Work and The Glory” series by Gerald Lund.  I am on the last volume now.  I realized that they went through many times of separation from families.  The men would serve missions or travel for work and be gone from their families for weeks or months at a time.  They didn’t have ways to keep in touch.  How thankful I am that I can call Neal every evening, see his face when we do FaceTime and even write emails.  We are able to stay connected.  How blessed we are to live at this time.  

Saturday I did some fun Easter activities with with kids.  Between the sessions of Conference we did an egg hunt in the back yard.  The kids filled the eggs with candy and I spread them around the back yard.  Then they gathered them up, getting a random supply of candy.  They loved it.  I also had Easter baskets for them with a few special treats. I hid them in the house and they had to find their baskets.  They enjoy that tradition too. I am glad we could do that together.  We missed going to the Waco 2^nd ward spring picnic and egg hunt and also participating in the elementary school picnic, games and egg hunt. I am glad we could do something together as a family here at the house.  

Then we did something new, colored eggs.  I think it was in 2009 when I colored eggs with Ruth, Andrew and Spencer.  They don’t remember it.  I remember the stress of it.  I had the dye out and then there was so much grabbing and dipping going on I was so worried that everything would break or spill.  It was a stressful enough event for me that I didn’t do it again.  This year the kids asked why we didn’t color eggs.  I told them about the last time I did it and they said they were older now.  I decided to give it a go.  They did great with it.  They all enjoyed seeing the eggs turn colors in the dye and experimented with different techniques I showed them.  It was actually fun and low stress.  I am glad we did it.  Now, I just need them to help me eat the eggs!

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day.  We got up and before breakfast I talked to the kids about Jesus Christ, we watched a little video from the LDS Bible video collection.  I bore my testimony of my knowledge that Christ lives and loves us.  It was a good way to start the day.  We also enjoyed watching conference again, at least I did.  The kids did pretty good at being quiet so I could hear.  We also liked that we could watch it on the TV, not the computer screen, because of our new set up.  Again, I am thankful for technology.

They found quiet spots to listen to conference.  Spencer enjoyed his so much he fell asleep and slept for over an hour.

While I was watching conference Andrew was trying to melt crayons.  He had some broken pieces that he had in the sun shine and they were getting soft, but not melting.  So he had the wise (or not so wise) idea to heat up the glue gun and touch the crayons with the hot tip.  It did melt the crayons, all over the glue gun.  Thankfully he did this bright idea in the bathroom and didn’t get any crayon on the carpet.  He did get in trouble when I found it and has been told he can’t use the glue gun for a long time.  I think he was sadder about loosing the glue gun than getting caught.  We still need to clean off the gun. Just another thing that keeps me busy, trying to keep up with what everyone is doing. 

Ruth's chalk art, she is getting good at it.  This was a pretty picture of flowers and trees she did.

 

Andrew's chalk art work.  He made a solar system, but not ours, complete with a "butterfly nebula" (in the center with yellow around it)

Monday evening we had our Family Home Evening night.  I was teaching the lesson this week.  We were looking at our family history.  My dad had told me about an audio recording of his grandma that was put on Family Tree.  The recording was made in 1948.  We listened to it.  It isn’t that clear but I could tell she had a beautiful voice.  We read some things about her and then I asked the kids why we needed to learn our family history.  I liked Andrew’s answer, he said “so when we go to heaven we will know who they are.”  I am thankful for that knowledge that we will see our family again after this life.  It will be wonderful to see them and know them there.

Yesterday I went to the library and Caleb enjoyed story time again.  He has really enjoyed going there this year.  I am glad that they have the preschool story time, without parents.  I think it has been a good thing for him to go without me.  Then in the evening I got an email saying a book Ruth has wanted for a couple of weeks, that we had on hold, is finally in.  So I will make a quick trip back to the library today.  This afternoon Caleb has a birthday party to go to for his friend Justin.  He is so excited about it.

I have been cleaning and going through things and trying to prepare myself to move again.  It is still overwhelming to me.  Like Spencer asked the other day “can we stay in Albuquerque for a long time?”  I hope so.