Fun relaxing days of summer?

It must still be spring because we've been busy over here. Well, okay, most people have been busy around the Memorial Holiday. Here's what we've been doing:

Here's Chief at his Spring Concert. He's wearing a "Good as Gold" shirt. Being to his concert reminded me of how my parents used to show up to my school assemblies. I remember how excited I was whenever I saw that one/both were able to take off work to be there. Now I can't believe I'M the parent. Talk about strange!

Chief's figured out who his girlfriend is. There were several girls talking about which one would be his girlfriend. Chief, a logical boy, came up with a solution to figure out the lucky girl. They played tag and the last one caught was his girlfriend. As one friend put it: he must be into athletic girls ;).

We went to a family b-day party Saturday. Cake...ice cream...presents...what more is there to say?

On Monday we went to the cemetary to visit my Dad. Every year we listen to the scottish band play (can you believe I used to be in one? Yep, the whole kilt/tie/hat/sporn/laced up shoe ensemble--but I played the drums, not the bagpipes). The cemetary has free hot dogs and sodas. This year they also had cookies and cake to celebrate 150 years of "service" to the community. I actually didn't have a mediocre hot dog this year cause my lovely sister and fam brought bagels and cream cheese (yum!).

Then, because the zoo was literally a zoo as evidenced by the parking lot, we went to the museum.

What part did my kids like best? The sand and water tray of course!

Then last night we had the notion to cook our food up in the canyon. The kids had a great time driving Mom and Dad crazy by running around, climbing trees, and ignoring whatever the two tall people said. Though Chief got to pass off a few cub scout activities, including bandaging cuts (on Red--the monkey climbing and falling out of trees--and Punkie--while attempting to out-run Mom on a high speed chase).

And tonight was Red's last soccer game. He said it went great, but doesn't know the score (which is fine by me). We provided treats. Actually Dad did, but I was in charge of treats for the cub scout Pack meeting. Chief got his first belt loop metal (for playing baseball last den meeting). It's his first award! Yea!

Soccer (mostly) over

Chief's games are over. His soccer coach (who did a great job coaching and holding practices), threw a pizza party at his house last night. Everyone contributed money and the kids just had fun playing air hockey.

Red, on the other hand, still has two make-up games this season, so we're not done yet.

Ahhh, to be a kid again...

I did something yesterday that I haven't done in much too long: I played like a kid. There are a few occasions that I've played sports (basketball/soccer/etc) with the kids, but I mean I REALLY played (thanks honey for being the adult). My niece wanted to play monkey tag on the playground--which means we couldn't touch the ground, so we'd swing like monkeys from one part to another, trying to avoid being tagged. Then our families played freeze tag (but we were able to walk on the ground).

Nothing makes you feel young again like playing like a carefree kid.

Happy Mother's Day. May you allow yourself to stay young in heart forever.
Here's a great quote we got on our candy bars at church today:
"One cannot forget mother and remember God.
One cannot remember mother and forget God.
Why? Because these two sacred persons,
God and mother, partners in creation, in love,
in sacrifice, in service, are as one."
Thomas S. Monson
"Behold Thy Mother"
Ensign, April 1998, pg 2

New member of Church

Chief was baptized on Saturday. The program was great and we were able to see lots of family and friends. I didn't get all the pictures I wanted (only took a handful) because I was a little busy talking with people and setting things up. I didn't take any outside the Tabernacle because of the rain. So here are three I liked:

Chief's been enjoying listening to his new Children's hymnbook CDs and reading scriptures. He even marked one (I'm not sure why, probably just because he could). I'm really proud of him for his decision (yeah, I know, I've got a problem with pride). I know it's probably easier for him to choose to be baptized because we encourage it, but it was still his decision. I'm not sure if he knows how lucky he is to have two parents that encourage him and help him with spiritual knowledge. Of course, I don't think many kids realize such blessings until they are older or unless they don't have them and wish they did. I was blessed my Mom cared enough to haul three children by herself to church. I'm sure it wasn't easy (I know I sure groaned whenever I had to get ready for church), but the results are definately worth it. My Dad only came to church a handful of times, but I can remember how I would sit up as tall as I could, proud (yes, again, I know) that my Dad was sitting next to me in church. Now I'm grateful my hubby cares enough to teach our children about the gospel and hauls them to church with me every Sunday. This means more to me than I can possibly put into words.

On a different note, I'm recommending a new book: When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin. This novel is very heartfelt (excuse the pun--when you read the book you'll know why). The main character has a painfully secret past that he has tried to hid from, but then he meets a little girl who changes his life. It's more slow and deep, and you spend most of the book putting together the main character's past through pieces scattered throughout the book. It sounds sappy, but it is rather worth the read.