In March, I started filling in for a massage therapist at a chiropractor's office in a little old house on Main Street. It was exactly the work environment that I had hoped for...low-key, flexible hours, interesting clients. At first, I felt like an impostor, because it had been so long since I have worked for anyone else. I felt self-conscious about my shaky hands, and unsure of my abilities. But I cannot be faulted for any lack of earnestness or work ethic, so I had to build confidence from there, and pray that I could improve where needed. By May, I had taken over most of the other therapist's hours.
There are still times when I wonder if I am doing any good. And there are other times when I feel incredibly humbled and grateful to be a part of someone else's healing.
This is my walk to work..not from home, but from a nearby mall, since the chiropractor's lot is too small for my van.
Needless to say, it has been a challenge to keep up with the kids' activities and the house..especially the house...and also recording life and the many things to be grateful for.
This was girls' night out in April, while the boys were with Granddad at the priesthood session.
Lovely, Caitlin.
The mall performance in May. We were all there from four in the afternoon until ten at night. I was busy with multiple costume changes and grateful that Grandma Martha was willing to watch the little ones at home. I know she would have loved to have seen the girls dance. Bethany is in the back.
Bethany's competing dance team performed two numbers at a competition at Provo High and took first place for both. I never get tired of watching them do Funky Monkey.
We had another pet funeral. Cocoa, the mama rabbit passed away in the spring. We think she might have had uterine cancer, which is very common in rabbits.
The girls played "This Little Light of Mine" together. Thank goodness for bluegrass camp.
"Dear Cocoa...I love you as much as fried chicken..and other things like my mom and dad and blossoms."
I haven't mentioned much about the rabbits either. They have continued to be an after church attraction on Sunday mornings. Olivia loves to put them out in their rabbit run in the yard for primary kids to play with on their way home from church, much to the kids' delight, and somewhat to the frustration of hungry parents. Our little Smokey went out for an adventure, and sadly, never returned, but Wes and Hugo still manage to run about and return, though they are nearly impossible to catch. They have fallen out of favor with me because they eat my hasta and petunias, which has prompted me to save money on annuals this year, and kept me from the IFAs, the Lindon nursery, and the garden sections of Lowes and Walmart, so I suppose I should thank them.
He looks so innocent.
So while I was working, the little kids went back to the daycare center that they attended during my massage therapy school days. The administrators and teachers are like family to me now, and I am always grateful that they welcome the children back when needed. I am a big proponent of socialized daycare for all incomes, like in Sweden. I loved my new job, but as the end of the school year approached I started to feel needed at home, and weary from the high cost of daycare. I believe it was equal to what I was earning.
But this moment made it all worthwhile. The timing seemed perfect, blessed in fact. I was grateful to be able to give the little ones a few months of preschool experience, and support Grant through his preschool graduation. In June, I decided to ask for fewer hours at work to make time to be with the kids...and the laundry....
Kindergarten time. I'm proud of you Grant.
even if it was just gathering costume pieces, and stockings, and lipstick lids.
Publicity shots from Suessical Jr. I stole pictures from the banner at the theatre.
Caitlin and Sam have the closest birthdays...just eight days apart. I took Caitlin's favorite treat, doughnuts, into her first grade classroom. 
Her good friend Grace came over to spend the evening with her.
Caitlin wanted to have Panda Express in honor of her birthplace, Hong Kong.
That made everyone just a little bit excited
It takes a deep breath for seven candles plus one to grow on.
We all had dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe.
And earlier Sam and I had lunch at Kneaders.
