squirrels

This hackey sack I made was designed by Hannah for her friend, Dallin, as a graduation gift. Congratulations, Dallin!

Academic Convocation

Last night was Hannah's convocation ceremonies. What an impressive group of seniors! Hannah received recognition for the following:

*Member of National Honor Society (wore blue and gold cords with her gown)
*Honor Graduate (top 7% of her class; wore gold cords with her gown) (she is third in her class)
*Heritage Scholarship to Brigham Young University
*Award for Excellence in English
*Award for Honors in Math
*Award for Honors in Art (5 of her works were on display last night)
*Award for Honorable Mention in Social Studies
*John Philip Sousa Band Award (her name will join brother, Nate's, on a plaque at the school)

Congratulations, seniors, for a job very well done!

new math

I was helping a kindergartener with her math this week and she taught me this very interesting and quick way to count to 100:

one, two, skip a few, twenty-four, skip some more, ninety-nine, one hundred!

I felt cheated that I had to learn the “old” math, all those numbers were enough to boggle the mind. Then it occurred to me, “cheated” is what I’d be if she grows up and ever becomes my accountant!

seminary gaduation

Tonight is seminary graduation for Hannah. Traditionally the parents prepare a poster about their graduate to display in the cultural hall for everyone to look at while eating refreshments. So of course, I did that yesterday and what a trip down memory lane! Hannah, I think you are wonderful!

"mountains" hackey sack

This hackey sack I made was designed by Hannah for a friend's birthday. Happy Birthday Nils!

Mother's Day

This day is celebrated with flowers, poetry, and sweet gifts made by little hands that want so much to show Mom how precious and valued she is. For moms, at least for me, it is a time to reflect on my labors and do some self-evaluation. What kind of mother am I? Am I the kind that makes cookies and tells stories, the kind that plants gardens and plans picnics, the kind that catches lizards and climbs trees or shoots hoops and sings silly songs? Am I the kind of mom whose children will rise up and call me blessed? Am I what my children need to thrive and grow into the wonderful people they are meant to be? I have decided that it was Heavenly Father that paired us up, and so yes, of course, I am the kind of mother my children need. And, just as true, my children are the very ones I have needed to help me become who I am.

The next question becomes, have I done my best? I’ve done the best I know how. I remember the panic I felt when my oldest son was “suddenly” graduating from high school and going off to college. I said to a friend, “I still have things to teach him, he’s not ready to leave and be out on his own!” She just laughed, “Of course he’s ready!” and she pointed out his fine character traits, evidenced by his accomplishments, the very things that would see him into capable adulthood.

I am sometimes haunted by the mistakes I’ve made over the years, thinking I’ve certainly done irreparable damage to my children, or at least failed them somehow. My brother tells me, in jest, “Your older four were such nice children, what happened to these last two, did you just stop caring?” Perhaps it seems so, I have evolved and grown as a mother over the years. Maybe I have finally learned enough about mothering that I can relax and really enjoy the experience. I finally understand when to step in and when to step back; I’ve mastered the art of being involved without being intrusive, I know how to help without facilitating dependence, how to support and encourage without being controlling. I’ve learned to set limits without being punitive; how to prioritize needs, digging into the important things and how to just let some things slide. I know when to laugh and when to cry, when to work and when to play, when to be stern and when to show forth an extra measure of compassion and understanding. I know how to forgive, what to forget and what to remember. I have learned how to give and receive unconditional love. And I have learned that the mistakes that haunt me have been long-forgotten by my children.

I am now transitioning from the role of mother into that of grandmother, the mother’s ultimate reward. I believe that being a mother is the hardest work in the world, but it has brought me the greatest joys possible in life. So beloved mothers, know that you are the most important person in the world to your little ones; someday they will realize it. For now let yourself enjoy this grand adventure, it really will be over too soon. And do enjoy this day of pampering, you’ll have plenty to clean up tomorrow when life get back to normal!

chocolate pie

Last night I made a chocolate pie. It seemed the perfect thing to do for Isaac, who had had a very long, hard day and came home from swim practice totally exhausted. But he had more to do, for the yard had dried out enough from our weekend rains to finally mow (you will recall a peculiar mix-up that involved moving a yard sale a week ago). So while he ate his supper (I ate with Hannah before she was off to school for the evening) and mowed the yard, I made him a chocolate pie.

I cannot make a chocolate pie without remembering the very first one I ever made. I was 12 and my brother, George, was 11. We were home alone one afternoon and got a terrible craving for chocolate pie. We got to talking and realized we had enough time to make one and if we ate it all, and if we cleaned up everything really well… While I made and baked the crust, George cooked the filling. We let it cool as long as we dared, split it in half, and thoroughly enjoyed each and every bite. I’m sure at least half of the fun was delight over the sneakiness of it all; we had pulled off the perfect crime!

My children all know the story of that chocolate pie (they are sick of my mentioning it every time I make another one). Hannah was not home yet when Isaac suggested it was time to break out the pie. We each had a piece, topped with loads of whipped cream. When we finished eating, our eyes met with a devilish twinkle; Hannah didn’t know about the pie! They do say that history repeats itself… But not this time, we couldn’t do it; poor Hannah had had a very long day, too, and would come home any minute, exhausted. She was very happy we saved some for her.

May Day

May Day has always been a day of celebration in our family. We don’t do Easter baskets, so when Spring is finally here the children are eager to receive their May baskets filled with treats, gardening gloves and tools, seeds for their section of the garden, and brand new water guns and water balloons. This year May day came and went without much excitement. Perhaps it was the cold rain that has fallen for two days. Perhaps my children have outgrown their delight in new water guns/balloons (although that remains to be seen). They decided this year, rather than May baskets, they would like help paying for a band trip to Denver and the amusement park called Elitch’s. That was OK by me, but I missed the traditions of the day. The flowers are blooming a little late this year; no lilacs yet to make a bouquet for my kitchen table. So I harvested the season’s first asparagus from my garden and had it for lunch. It was such a treat I think it shall become a new tradition. I decided that what I really missed this May day was the sunshine; fortunately it is back today. Welcome, Spring!