Spring.

  I am feeling more spring-ish today. Part of that might be because Gary finally, FINALLY got the kitchen done enough to put in our stove and refrigerator. This causes me great joy. We can buy fresh fruit and vegetables again! In fact, yesterday I ordered from Bountiful Baskets for the first time in months. I can cook Easter dinner Sunday!!! We can have people over for dinner. I owe brownies to a kid in our ward, I can pay that debt. I can make bread and rolls again. I am excited to get in and clean it and add some splashes of color. Because right now it is various shades of beige, which is Gary`s favorite color. And that is okay but it needs some oomph.

 It is also warm-ish today. For us here in SE Idaho that means the tempertures are in the low 40`s, that is swimsuit season right there! My go-to spring/summer wardrobe is a t-shirt and capris. Unfortunately last summer my capris wore out. Which is ok because they were 6 years old. Think I got my money`s worth there! Thanks WalMart. So far I have not been able to find any replacements. So I am on the hunt for them. It is too early to plant flowers or gardens but I can certainly dream about what Gary will do with our yard this summer. And watch for the tulips to come up. And open all the windows, not just the one by my bed. I am grateful that spring is beginning to appear....in my life and in my town!!

Just another winter day.

  Somewhere in my neighborhood I think there might be a terrible crime happening. Why do I think that you ask? Because I hear dogs madly barking and screams. As I listen more I think the screams are simply children at play and the dogs are just......dogs at play? They are good sounds! The sounds of warmer weather. Which is funny because we woke up to gray skies and snow flying. And now the skies are blue and the sun is shining. I think our weather is as emotionally scattered as I feel somedays. I feel sometimes like I am in the middle of winter. When it is cold and overcast day after day. Then there are times when I feel like there is a hint of spring in the air, the breeze doesn't cut and whip, it lifts my hair and gently whispers. Just like our weather, I can feel all of this in one day, one afternoon. And I want to feel the spring all of the time.
 

 

Good is all around...

 There are so many good people in the world. Here are just a few in my life:

• Steve Huber, we have known the Hubers for about twenty years. He is one of Gary's counselors in the bishopric. And he has spent the past two evenings at our house helping Gary find the way out of our remodeling nightmare. Not only is he helping Gary remodel, he is helping Gary not stress about the remodeling.
• Chris Erickson, she is our Young Women's president. I am her advisor. She is a BUSY woman and went to Utah this afternoon to be with her family in Utah. They left AFTER she brought my family a pot of homemade delicious soup. 
• Cathy Hathaway, she is my friend of many years. We have enjoyed girls camps, band and choir chaperoning trips, musicals and much more together. Today I subbed for the teacher she is an aide for. She is funny and kind and honest and smart. Oh yeah, and a skilled emergency medical person.
• Our neighbor's daughters. Tonight they came and invited Natalie over to their house. That NEVER happens. I am so glad they moved into the neighborhood.
• Matt Bennett, our awesome band teacher. He teaches JUNIOR HIGH people to play instruments. Seriously folks, that takes a real love of music to do. And he helps them sound great!
• The very patient woman at Sherwin Williams in Rexburg. I don't know her name, but she has answered all of Gary's bazillion and three questions. And never made him feel stupid or showed any annoyance. Better than what I do, that's for dang sure.
• Travis Angell, he teaches sixth grade science. My Brigham absolutely loves him. As I have mentioned that to people they have said their boys feel the same way. How awesome is that? To be able to not only teach sixth grade boys, but have them admire and look up to him too?
• Connie Thorkelson and Bergen Cook, they left me comments. 

          There are so many good people all around. I am going to work harder at being one of those people.

Band!

 I am going to admit something kind of embarrassing. When my oldest five children were growing up I wanted them to be popular. To have lots of friends, be involved in everything, basically be popular. And that probably isn't a terrible thing really. But I spent a lot of time worrying about it. Now, with my last two I am different. If they have only one friend, fine! They don't want to be in student council, fine! They don't get invited everywhere, fine! And so on.


  And that is where band has come in. Both Natalie and Brigham LOVE band. Natalie especially. She actually seems to have a group of friends in band and is happy. Today I chaperoned the high school band and her junior high honors band. Brigham was with the rest of the junior high bands. It was just awesome. There were NO behavior or discipline problems. Everyone got along. At dinner I got to eat with a big group of 7-8th grade boys. What delightful company, and so willing to eat my leftovers. And the music was outstanding. I am so grateful for music and specifically our band program. I sub regularly in the bands and I have to say, I could never do it. That Mr. Bennett can take those young students from nothing to what I heard tonight is nothing short of miraculous! There were times today that I stopped reading because the music was too beautiful not give my full attention. I LOVE BAND!! And the place it gives my kids.  

Randomness

   So there is a new Pope. As of yet his name has not been announced. It has been fascinating to watch the process---the conclave---of electing a new pope. It is different in my church, the LDS church, we know who will be the prophet. We believe Heavenly Father revealed how the leadership is passed along. There is no speculation. But I do believe the Heavenly Father is concerned about who will be pope. The cardinals who elect the pope pray to be influenced by the Holy Ghost, and you know what? I believe they are. This morning I was watching a talk show with 5 panelists. Two of the women claimed the churches in America are empty, that religion just isn't important. One of the women hopes this new pope will be more in touch with modern life and make the changes that she feels are a long time in coming. And I wondered....when did we, the general population, decide that WE told God what needs to be done? Or changed? That we dictate the commandments according to what society believes is right or acceptable? I am grateful for the guidance my prophet gives, that my church gives. That being said I also hope I can be loving and tolerant and respectful of those who don't share my beliefs.

   On a different note, we are remodeling our kitchen. It has been one disaster and stumbling block after another. I am finding it hard to live in a state of chaos. Our family is short tempered with each other. And I know this is a total ridiculous petty challenge. But at the same time, I look forward to it being done.


  My baby is twelve. We celebrated another last together. The last of our children in primary. Now on Tuesdays we all go to mutual. Except Gary, he tries to put together our kitchen. After 23 years of primary, we are graduated!

  And finally, Emily is participating in Junior Miss, or Distinguished Young Woman as it is now called. I just love this program. I don't in any way think or expect her to win. We have been involved enough to know that you just can't go into it thinking you will win. But I do believe that if she works hard, puts her whole effort into it, well, she already is a winner! I truly believe that. It is fun to see your daughter prepare her talent, get a beautiful dress, work on interview skills and draw close to the girls in her grade. The only sad thing is I don't get to help this year. And I am afraid I will not get to help again. And that will be hard because it is one of my favorite things to do!

  Well, just felt like I should drop in and leave some random thoughts!