Memorial Day

Today marks the "unofficial" start of summer! I sincerely can't believe that it's summer again. I love this holiday. I love the significance of the celebrations. I know we sometimes get lost in the BBQs and parties, but it is truly a day to reflect on what our "freedom" has cost. I am grateful for the brave men and women (since the inception of this great nation) who have given their very lives so that I may be free to make the choices I do (e.g., religion, family, career, etc.). I couldn't be more proud to have a father and grandfather who served this country. I credit them with the deep love and devotion I have to this country. I can't recite the pledge or sing the anthem without getting choked up. I think that love grew even deeper when I traveled and witnessed the lives of people from other countries. We are truly blessed. Today we began our celebrations with a flag ceremony and devotional. (And yes...I choked up.) After the brief devotional, we enjoyed a breakfast with all our friends and neighbors.

The rest of the day was spent at home doing chores. Nothing truly patriotic or spectacular, but Jonas and I did find some time to stop and make a flag out of popsicle sticks. I hope that I can instill a love and devotion to this country as my father and grandfather instilled in me.

That evening, we invited Grumpy, Gma Penny, Katie and Greg over for dinner. I can't imagine a better way to celebrate the lives that were lost than to gather with family. Faith, Family and Country...all the things we can enjoy because of the sacrifices that were made for our freedom.

Welcome Summer!!

Today was the boys' last day of school! That's right...let the summer shenanigans begin!! For those who may be a little skeptical about my placement of exclamation points, I really am excited for the summer. I look forward to having the boys around and making fun memories together. There is so much we already have on the calendar (camps, conferences, family fun, etc.). It will be a busy summer (and I know by the end, you'll see exclamation points regarding a return to school), but it will be nice to take a break from the monotonous routine of the school year to simply have fun. The boys finished the school year strong! Dallin received a letter in track and Danny made honor roll! I couldn't be more proud of all my boys. They are definitely not perfect (then again neither am I), but they are good kids trying to do good things. So bring on all the summer fun!

MORP

Tonight Dallin attended the last dance of his junior year - MORP! I know I've said this before, but it has been a privilege to watch Dallin have so much fun in high school with such good friends! I am proud of the choices they are making. I know they aren't perfect (and many times I shake my head or roll my eyes at the silly things they do...or the lack of thought that goes into some of their more unintelligent choices), but they are good kids. I never have to worry about questionable choices in substance use or immorality or illegal activities. Friends are vital during this stage in their lives. I'm just thankful that he has been lucky enough to find quality friends! They had a blast on their date (which included an impromptu food fight)! I can't believe that this school year is practically over. I can't believe Dallin will be a senior next year! Time needs to slow down...just a little.

Dallin and Kyra Westburg

Last Orchestra Concert

Tonight was Danny's last orchestra concert. I am sincerely impressed with his progress and dedication to the cello. He loves it! (He may not love all the practice time, but at least he doesn't argue with it anymore!) He has especially loved preparing for this final concert. This time they were able to play contemporary, popular music (e.g., songs from Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, ColdPlay, etc.). It was a fun concert! You could tell all the musicians were enjoying themselves. I have loved watching Danny's progress over the past two years. I'm even more excited that he wants to continue! Keep it up Danny!

State Track Meet

Today was Dallin's State Track Meet at BYU. Dallin loves participating in high jump. Because he's not as tall as some of the other athletes, I think he surprised even himself when he jumped 6'1" at the end of the season (5" taller than he is!). Dallin has dedicated himself to this event. He has always been athletically inclined, but I think this event has challenged him more than any other event or sport. It was good to see all that hard work pay off as he earned a spot to compete at state. He again jumped 6'1" and earned 8th place in state! (He scratched or else he would have received 4th place.) He was so proud of himself! And we are too! Next year he's aiming to place in the top 3! (The pictures aren't all that great. We couldn't get close enough...but here they are.)

Tennis tournament

Today was Danny's final tennis tournament. It was 6 hours of non-stop matches that resulted in 6th place in 1st doubles! Danny has enjoyed playing tennis (and I finally started to understand the rules of the game a little more!). He has never complained about practices or matches. I think he has learned a lot over the season, especially how to be a team player (since he played doubles). I have seen him grow in sportsmanship and humility as he's played. It has been a good season!

It was a loooong day for this little guy...

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful women out there who have ever loved a child and earned that child's love in return! That is what a mother is: an unselfish woman who loves, nurtures, and sacrifices herself for the life of a child. I have been blessed to live a non-traditional mother life. I started this journey as an aunt, as a social worker, as a youth volunteer, and more. I was then entrusted with the care of 4 children that I did not bear before I was ever able to bear a child of my own creation. Because of this, I have learned that the title of mother is more than simple biology. I have shed more tears than I would like to admit as I have traversed this motherhood journey, but I have also had countless moments in which I felt like my heart would burst with love and joy. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. It is work. It is moments when you feel like a total failure. It is moments when you want to intervene to save your child from heartache but can't. It is moments when you doubt your ability to be a mother. It is moments when you wonder if anything you do is noticed or appreciated. It is moments when you have to be the villain to maintain the greater good. It is moments when you hear an unsolicited "thank you" that makes your heart smile. It is moments when you overhear your children debating with friends as to whose mom is the "coolest". It is moments when you connect with your child on an emotional level never before achieved. It is moments when you observe your child doing good things and think that you must have done at least one thing right. Motherhood is a lifelong commitment. You can't give up. You can't quit. You will always be mom. Thank you to all the moms out there who are still in the fight! Thank you to all the moms who have shown me what motherhood is all about! Thank you to my own mother who will always be my greatest champion!

As I have mentioned, there are days that I don't feel very successful in my motherhood career, but today was not one of them. Jeff and the kids spoiled me from morning to night. We were able to talk to Amber who is finishing up her mission in Spain before indulging in a delicious (and beautiful) pastry breakfast. The kids even got me flowers and a beautiful leaf necklace with all our birthstones. (That gift produced a few happy tears. I have always wanted to get a necklace that represented all my kids, but never did so out of respect for their own difficult journey in this non-traditional family we live in. The necklace meant the world to me!) Jeff gave me a gift certificate for a hot air balloon ride!! (I have always wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride!)

That afternoon, I enjoyed going to church with my handsome boys before returning home to a deliciously prepared dinner. The best part was I didn't have to clean it up! It was a good day. There were so many Mother's Days that I used to dread...today was not one of them. I am proud to be a mother! It is the most exhausting career but also the most rewarding...and one I wouldn't change for the world.

Dallin's 17th birthday!

I can't believe Dallin is 17! I can't believe that in a year from now he could have his mission call and be preparing to leave us for 2 years! Where does the time go?! It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to watch him (and his siblings) grow up (it has also been one of my greatest challenges...but that goes without saying for any parent!). I know Dallin is a teenager and believe me he does typical teenage things, but he is also one of the most responsible, motivated, loyal, loving, fun, obedient kids I have ever known. Sometimes I get a little sad thinking about how quickly he is growing up, but growing up is good. Change is good. I think as parents we like to try to keep our kids close all while teaching them how to fly. It's the irony of parenthood. In any case, we started Dallin's birthday celebration with a family dinner the Sunday (May 6) before his birthday. We had dinner, he opened his cards (he's past the gift stage...he just wants money), then there was the traditional wrestling match that we like to call blowing out the candles.

Later that week was his actual birthday. On Friday (May 11), a group of his friends came over early (not early enough to catch him in bed though! He was actually in the shower when they got here.) to kidnap him for a special birthday waffle breakfast. Later that day, I pulled him out of school to go see the new Avengers: Infinity War movie. Jeff and Danny got to join us as well. We smuggled in some Arby's for lunch and enjoyed the nice reclining seats as we watched the movie.

That evening, his crazy friends planned a Danimals party for him. I guess he told them all he wanted for his birthday was some Danimals so that's what he got! Over 250 of them!!! It was crazy! I just have to shake my head some times. I'm glad that he has such a good group of friends...even if they may have questionable decision making skills at times.

Happiest of birthdays Dallin! I hope you felt loved, appreciated....and slightly sick from all those Danimals!