commencement, consolement, chiropractory

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.

vitamin D

 
Pony tail and dancing boots.

In May I was grateful for going back to parks. Vitamin D. Sanity.

Snow in the mountains Spring in the valley.

Saturday morning science.

I was grateful for mugs, drawings, Mary's Mother's day essay with furthermore and in conclusion, and preschool potted flowers and hugs.  We roasted hot dogs at Vivian park.

Bethany played her cello in the school orchestra concert and the girls demonstrated their artwork at the art showcase. I always look forward to that evening.

Ben needed a haircut...he was looking like a handsome, young, terrorist.

Bethany went to school dressed as Alfred Hitchcock for the fifth grade wax museum.

And this is why we don't use shower curtains.

freckles, friends, affection

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.

The following Friday Caitlin hosted a pajama party for her friends.  Mary took charge of the games while I went to get the pizza. Thank you, Mary. You are a really big help.  After dinner Olivia sacrificed her personal safety to hold the pinata in the tree.  She was really brave.

 

Some words that come to mind about Caitlin...freckles, friends, affection. We love you Cate!

sixteen

In April we celebrated Sam's sixteenth birthday.  I brought home this dinosaur friend to appease Grant who was greatly disappointed that Sam wasn't going to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate.  Sam pardoned the dinosaur.  Everyone agreed he was too cute to smash,  so we just shook the candy out of him.


We all had dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe.

And earlier Sam and I had lunch at Kneaders.

And we couldn't properly celebrate Sam without movies.  We made several trips North in honor of his big day. One Saturday in April Sam and I enjoyed a trip to the Megaplex at Valley Fair Mall to see Oblivion and have lunch at Zuppas.  This picture was from a beautiful Tuesday.  It was wonderful to see Salt Lake City blossoming with tulips and daffodils, and the trees dressed in my favorite baby lime green leaves.  Sam and Ben went to see Upstream Color at the Tower theater.  Grandma Martha and I entertained the little ones at a McDonald's in downtown SLC.  I was sure I had taken Sam and Ben there many years ago.





Sam blesses our lives with ideas...like this one. A day that would have been lost if it weren't for his persistence, and creativity, and passion for a special day, and persuasiveness.  Sam you are great company. I hope you love being sixteen.

Kyle's birthday 2013

 

I don't think that I could ever believe in an indifferent universe.  I try not to use the word never because of the ironic effect it tends to have on my future, but even if I were ever to lose interest in the bells and whistles of religion, my heart is so regularly overwhelmed by the enormous meaning of things, particularly little things and little people, and overwhelmed with anxiety for the well-being of those little people and little things, it really feels like more than any one person should feel alone,  and so I try to communicate a lot with the Universe, sometimes God...to the extent that I think he wishes I would become Atheist, and other times to a kind of committee that I imagine, or to people who have passed on, who I hope might still remember me and be cheering me on.  I feel grateful for their help everyday. Sometimes I feel both grateful, and angry and frustrated, but I am sure that God understands complexity, because He created it.

In March we celebrated Kyle's thirteenth birthday.  I picked him up from school early and we went out to lunch to Burger Supreme. I hadn't eaten there for ever.  Kyle was envious of my gyros--as people always are.  Then we picked up Ben from school, and I took the boys on a field trip to Les Miserables-my third time. I didn't cry nearly as much, mostly because Kyle was making so many comments. Both boys had been wanting to see it. I was happy to spend that time together.  Kyle loves to make people laugh, and I am so grateful for that...even during Les Mis.  He is a wonderful big brother and  always helpful in many ways. Thank you, Kyle.

The following Saturday we went to Nickle City with a the siblings and a few of Kyle's friends.  This was the best picture I came home with. Sorry.

                     St.  Patrick's Day we had corned beef, Broonie bread, and shamrock shaped biscuits by Bethany.

The third weekend in March Bethany performed in a dance competition with the team. I think the eyelashes might have been her favorite part.

                                                            Great job Bethany!