Update

Gentry gave her first scripture & prayer in junior Primary today.  It was very cute as I whispered the words to her and urged her to speak more into the microphone.  She enjoyed it and seems to come out of her shell little by little.  I mostly worry how she will do without her siblings, particularly Lauren there with her to encourage her or make her feel safe.  Gentry & Lauren seem to have a bit of a love/hate relationship.  I'm not quite sure Gentry realizes how much she relies on Lauren's outgoing personality or that she would do/try half the things she does if not for Lauren.  Tonight Gentry begged to play a game on the computer - which I set up for her but Lauren immediately comes and begins to play the game 'for' Gentry bc she can't really do it.  But Gentry is happy to have that help bc technically, she can't play it by herself.

Nine days left of the school year before three of my 4 children are in school.  The summer will come all too quickly I'm sure but I hope to have a jump on plans and for using every day well and growing my relationship with each child.  It will take more effort no doubt but well worth it.

Chris and I have be easing ourselves into talking to a business about renovating the kitchen.  It sounds all so exciting and yet so daunting.  As of now, we are going to continue our efforts in replacing the windows for the house and keep considering options for the kitchen. 

Baseball Life Lessons

A week or so ago Vincent relayed the following to me:

He told about how at school he was shushing some of the other students to be quiet for the teacher.  Then the teacher thanked the other kids for quieting down but did not thank him for doing the 'shushing.'  He related this experience to being like hitting a sacrifice bunt play in baseball so another guy could advance bases . . .

Deep baseball-related thoughts for a 1st grader.

Update

(took pictures - will try & update post when I figure out how to get them off phone camera)

Had a nice Mother's Day Sunday.  It helped that I cleaned the house on Saturday evening so as to have a more relaxing morning.  The kids & Chris were sweet but the morning still centered somewhat on getting ready for church.  Got a pitch-fork-thingy from Chris for turning compost in our new composter - not entirely romantic - but very practical which is the way we like things (most of the time :)

We enjoyed a nice dinner over at Bryce & Sharon's house.  Sylva and Curtis came.  A nice walk after dessert felt great except for the mini heat wave we are having.  Was 7pm and still hadn't cooled down quite enough.  The kids played happily - Dallin & the girls out back playing make believe Swiss Family Robinson and Vincent with Landon & Wyatt playing ball on driveway. 

Chris and Vincent had Father's and Sons campout this week.  Vincent loves nothing better than getting out and being a real 'boy' with the other boys in the ward.  Played a baseball game as a 'filler' for his old t-ball coach who was short players and caught three fly balls!

We girls went to downtown Orange on Saturday with Grandma & A.Molly to do some unsuccessful antiquing and toy shop, then lunch.  The heat drained most of our energy so we ended early, caught the last bit of Vincent's game and came home and tried to keep cool.

Hadley's Confirmation

A friend gave me notes from Hadley's baptism confirmation blessing:

Blessing to remember most of all how you felt today;
This day will be a foundation for further spiritual growth;
Understand the importance of the Holy Ghost;
Be able to discern good from evil;
Stay on the path leading to the temple;
Recognize that you have a warm, friendly spirit;
Continue to be a good example to brother & sisters;
Bless you confidence in your learning.

Update

One of my deepest regrets will always be the lack of good, quality, consistent, & meaningful family pictures.  I decided today right before church that at the very least I should be able to take a picture once a week.  Then, when I looked that the quality of the picture, I hesitated - 'is this really how I want to remember them?'  The pictures don't do the children justice and the lighting, the quality - everything about the picture is wrong.  But, it IS a picture nonetheless and someday I will hopefully not regret posting this one and waiting for the 'perfect' picture to come along. 

So for this week, this is the family update.  A bad picture.  A regretful mother.  And hopefully four little ones who will grow up and just be glad a picture was taken.  (Now if I could just figure out how to put pictures from my phone on here - they are better than my old digital camera.)

I'm sorry children.

Update

Tonight we are coming off of Spring Break for Hadley & Vincent as well as General Conference yesterday & today.  Hadley best expressed how I was feeling too tonight when she was in tears and missing the weekend, the fun & family when we came home from Chino tonight.  Hadley reminds me so much of myself when I was young, how deeply she feels the Spirit - but I don't know that I ever identified it to be the Spirit.  Something I hope that I help her to articulate at a young age is that she is feeling the Spirit.  And that it is a good thing.  It is a good feeling to have.  It wasn't until I was much older that I recognized why and what was making me feel that way.  For this reason I try to tuck the kids into bed with the question "did you feel the Spirit today?"  I want for them so badly to feel it and to identify and know when they are feeling the Spirit and desire it for the rest of their lives.

So back we go into the swing of things - or back 'into the world' to try and not be 'of the world'.  Tonight I quoted the phrase to Hadley: I'm Mormon.  I know it.  I love it.  I live it.  This week now we have to go 'live it'.

We spent the afternoon session on general conference in Chino, as we almost always have done.  Vincent had a wonderful time playing baseball pretty much the entire time with his cousins.  I felt sorry for the girls who can't seem to find a place there amongst us all.  Hopefully having baby Lincoln around in the next few years will help and make it more fun for them after he is born.

My Son

Vincent still holds my hand.  It warms my heart so much to know this.  Yesterday Molly took the three girls to Upland with her so they would not have to endure yet another baseball game.  The rest of the day was great fun as I got to spend a lot of one-on-one time with Vincent.  I hope to always remember this day and to make memories like this with each of my children.

Chris and I went to Vincent's baseball game.  He played great, as usual.  My favorite part is how Vincent wears his batting glove tucked into his back pocket like the pros.  Chris had to leave early so I sat and enjoyed the second half by myself.  After his game we watched a majors-game and some of a single-A game together.  Just the two of us.  Then we went and had lunch together - ran into friends, the Kings, and chatted with them.  Then we went to buy some new shoes for Vincent.  He held my hand whenever I offered it throughout the day and it felt great to hold my son's hand so much before he turns 7 years old.  I am so glad he still doesn't mind.

After coming home and putting some things away we headed out to Upland to see and pick up the girls.  Vincent read a book so pridefully most of the ride there - which was fine because we had chatted so much during the day.  It was so much fun.