Taking One for the Team

Our new back-splash is up and grouted. It looks, well...lovely.

our before and almost after shots

We took the awesome Elders to Texas Roadhouse for dinner since I don't have an oven right now. Unfortunately, I won't be able to cook for the next few days until it can be sealed. I hate to disappoint the kids, but I will make it up to them with some of my awesome cooking for the next...you know, lifetime.

Merlin's Dream

Mary's recital went splendidly well. She played a beautiful song called Merlin's Dream. It's been a little challenging to learn, especially the timing of it all. Ali and Emi Williams came to her recital tonight. It was so thoughtful of them to come and support her. We celebrated all her hard work by going Yo-Twist afterwards as a family. I'm so proud of all her hard work and I will miss hearing this song each day.

My Girls

It's been an exciting week preparing for Mary's class field trip. We packed her list of essentials and collaborated on the optimal hiking outfit. Between her table rock hike and her soccer practice she was pretty tired when bedtime came around.

Nicole also had a busy day of playing...at Luci's, at joy school, and with the Williamses that we babysat. She just loved every minute of it. She's wearing these pigtails (Lucitails) in honor of one of her favorite playmates.

Mother-Son Golfing

I got to take Noah out this evening for MRE's Mother/Son Activity. We had the best time ever and I love that Noah didn't care one bit about being with other boys his age or cousins at the FFC. He wanted to be with me (plain old me) and do everything together. We golfed, water bumper boated, go kart race, and talked. It was so fun being together and getting soaked and misted in the 96 degree weather. After we played we headed to Shari's from some dinner and dessert. I think one-on-one time with the kids is so important, and I thoroughly enjoyed his company.

Death to Allergies

I hate seasonal allergies, they are really putting a damper on my life. I seriously can't breathe through my nose and my energy from the medicine and itchy drippy face is so low I could fall asleep at any moment. It's been a couple weeks now of this torture and I am anxious for Summer's relief. I hope this week's hot weather kills off every last allergen out there.

On the brighter side of things, the kids are keeping me distracted and happy. When Noah broke his collar bone, Jared and family brought over a candy gram. We decided we needed to make one for Elise, because it's so fun and the kids still remember it from two years ago! Elise loved it.

Elise's Surgery

Christine took sweet Elise to the surgery center this morning to get tubes put in her ears and have her adenoids removed. Christine told us that she was so brave through every part of the process. Look how cute she is getting wheeled into the surgery room...

She lost her other front tooth as they were working. The doctors gave her a dollar for it. So sweet. I'm interested to see if she thinks Noah is loud when her ears are working better. I have noticed that he speaks really loudly around her, and at other times too. ;)

While she recovered at home we got to keep Estelle for a short bit. When I picked up Estelle from Tiff and grabbed Noah from school he was eager to hear about Elise and play with Estelle. Noah loves to play with Elise at school. He told me that since she wasn't there he played with Miley. There are a lot of sweet girls in his class and he loves playing with them more than the boys.

I am going to really miss Noah next year when he starts first grade. He is so good at taking care of his younger siblings and finding something fun to do with them. He talks so sweetly and they just follow him around. That boy really melts my heart with his tender and loving personality.

A Noble Work

The best thing about getting homemade gifts for Mother's Day is that you can see how your children sometimes see you. I got some good ones this year delivered to my bed with breakfast....

From Noah:
"I love you because you are my mom and you give me kisses and hugs. My favorite thing about you is you love me so much. Thank you for always making me food and celebrating my birthday."

He also filled out an All About Mom paper...where he says that I like to work on the computer, eat salad, and relax by still working on the computer (I guess they notice that I am on the computer a lot...I need to check that a bit!). According to Noah the best thing I cook is brownies (boxed of course) and that he likes to do homework together.

Mary said, "The most important thing about my mom is that she makes the best chocolate chip cookies. It's true that she tucks me into bed, reads to me, and helps me with my homework. But the most important thing about my mom is that she makes the best chocolate chip cookies."

I had no idea...maybe I should go into a brownie, cookie business! So cute.

Mary played the prelude music in primary today. She did very well and in many ways our journey through piano lessons symbolizes the journey of motherhood. The sacrifices, dedication, and encouragement of a mother may feel exhausting at times, but seeing them grow and improve makes every second worth it.

We had a wonderful Mother's Day dinner at Christine's house. All the men cooked something delicious. My mom gave the ladies some awesome genealogy fan charts. Tiffany gave us all a a beautiful book from our Disneyland trip. We also celebrated Tanta Henri's 65th birthday.

I am feeling so grateful for my angel mother, mother-in-law, grandmothers, aunts, sister-in-laws, and women everywhere who have blessed my life and taken part in the most important and noble work of motherhood. There isn't anything I'd rather be a part of.