April

Lets start with a dream. I believe that there are times when dreams are more than just a dream. I believe that we need to remember some of our important dreams. Greg had a dream in Vegas that his dad was talking to him. He gave him advice for each kid. Denali: don’t grow all the way up you cannot grow down, don’t grow up too fast. Colvin: We see you; you are enough. Azalyn: Don’t change, you’re great. Greg: You are doing your best, just keep going.

Azalyn got my cough. If there is anything that effects your lungs Azalyn will catch it.   For conference instead of candy or 5 below I was on top of it and let them pick temu gifts. However, during conference I was super sick my mind was not working great. I let the gifts go for way too cheap. They had them “bought” with in the first session. Talking about conference, I love the spirit it brings into our home. I was out of it most of the time, but it was still peaceful.

Life advice: buy tons of what you want, try them all on and keep what you want. I could not find a good swim suit this year. I bought 14 and kept 4 (The 4^th one was a I hope someday to fit into it). More advice- holding it in is not good but being mean is also not ok. Talk it over in your head then say it in a productive way.  Last one; if you think about it, you can do it. That goes with chores or life itself.

The boys new thing is making movies. I told Denali that shooting and editing movies does not count as free time. They are getting better, but the story line is still all over, you just have to laugh.  Doing things makes memories; Mom and Colvin made a cake, Dad (grandpa) and Denali put together a basketball hoop for the pool.  I had a movie night with book club since we read the Count of Monte Cristo (I like the movie better). Dad and Greg had the kids. It was so funny it took them all week to decide what they were going to do. They ended up going out to eat.  Hurricane Harbor opened for the season. We ALL had a blast. Azalyn was tall enough for all the rides, she was over joyed and loved them all.

The last two months of school, bring on the projects. The boys both had science fair projects. Colvin did what smooths out paper the best, smashing the paper between books, ironing it, or putting it through the printer. The iron won. Denali did what popcorn salt is the best, yes just normal popcorn salt is best. Azalyn had to do an Earth Day project. She had to use recycled materials and make something. We made a zoo out of water bottles. (thank you google)

For Palm Sunday the youth did the program. It was powerful. My eyes leaked. We had friends over and Colvin loves their baby. Grandma says that he needs 10 kids. The kids really wanted to dye Easter eggs, one day after school I had it ready. They lasted about 10 minutes.  For Easter we were invited over to our neighbors BBQ. Since everyone was gone it was perfect timing. It was really nice to meet all our neighbors. Colvin and Azalyn went swimming. 99% of the neighbors love my kids. Don’t let one person ruin it for you.

Me: with nails, I am not artistic, but I am creative.  I was able to go to Dog Man with Azalyn on a field trip. The theater was so cold, or she would of fallen asleep. She came home and crashed for 2+hrs. I guess running and playing for a week will wear you down.  Me tip: if you are feeling down and just like $$%$#, do your hair, shave your legs, and put on makeup. If you look good on the outside, it will help the inside feel better.  Start reading your scriptures more intentionally. I started the book of Mormon again but I was reading it on my phone so I could read all the sub notes. Don’t read for length read for time so you can dive in if you feel like it.

My new thing is only giving the kids their 15min of free time then making them go find something to do. It took them a day or two, but they got creative. Colvin started on his Lego set (Sierra showed him how to read the instruction) Azalyn puts on Zombie makeup (she is getting really good). Denali edited movies.

We try to get out on Saturday. We went to Lake Pleasant and discovered they have a playground. Then we took a little hike down to the river. Yes, we all put our feet in, and Colvin jumped in. We were able to see a snake eat a mouse. We finally took the kids to the Minecraft movie. It was…the kids loved it.

It was the kids last parent lunch. Greg was able to go with Denali, he was able to go at least once with each kid. I was able to go with Colvin and Azalyn.  I ordered through the App for Colvin, it went find so I was like yes, I will do the same for Azalyn. NOPE! First her lunch is so early that you have very little time to get “lunch” then make it to her school. 2^nd the app changed my location, I was so sad because I was really late. She was crying in the lunch room when I got there. I came home and cried Greg just held me. Azalyn had her 6 year check up! 48 lbs. 60 % 3’11’’ 81%

Greg finally got his back injections. Funny story; The day he got his injection he got Taco Bell, but he did not get me anything. He was sick for days. It was food poisoning (karma for not picking up me anything) and his injections. Hope is great but a hard thing. It makes life bright but when hope is lost the dark is darker. I really do think the back injections will give him and all of us some release.  Here is to HOPE!