Mark Wreck

We got a call early Saturday morning from Mark telling us he had been in a bike wreck and to the hospital but was fine. Later we got the pictures. I'm pretty sure this is the terrain maybe not the exact spot but a fair representation. Harold says there are bikes that are really good for this but they are very expensive custom bikes he saw in California. Guaranteed that's not the kind of bike Mark is riding. Nonetheless we are thankful he fared so well. This is a beautiful place very lush and green. I'm also noticing a lot of rocks as I study the pictures. 

The back of his shirt. He was racing with his companion to get to their next appointment when the road turned to mud from a washout and he wiped out. Greg had encouraged him to race to stop thinking about how hard or uncomfortable riding up and down hills all day is to thinking about being stronger and better. His bike tire is bent in a wobbly c-shape unrideable until a new tire is found. He knew when he picked his bike up something was wrong with his shoulder. 

This companion is familiar with the hospital taking his last companions there for other reasons. Thankfully only the end of Mark's collarbone is fractured. He was placed in a sling to keep the bones pulled together. 

His mission president had advised all the elders to diligently wear their helmets. Mark was thankful he did. As he told me this week. He knows farmers who are missing an arm or a leg but none that are missing a head. Heads need to be protected.

He knows he was protected from serious injury. We have family stories about people being protected from wearing their garments and keeping their covenants. Mark is building his own collection of stories. He always asks about the cover crops. They are coming in well. It is amazing how well dormant seeds can grow in the spring time. Even after feeding hungry geese al

 Although it was unnerving to hear of his accident we are thankful for his protection and personal awareness of healing. He does know what it takes to heal bones. They have strong medicinal concoctions over their. Ibuprofen, tylenol, and codeine in one pill taken after each meal was the instruction. I told him to switch to just ibuprofen as that was a lot to be taking. He has a high pain tolerance and needs to not be getting use to feeling nothing. He said they are talking to more people while they walk around so that is good too. He likes Swaziland it is very hilly. So life rolls on and is moving forward. He hits his 6 month Mark in a few days and that is reassuring that time is passing quickly. We are thankful. 

Easter

Easter came with so many expectations this year. We were asked to celebrate more fully more joyfully just more. That is a hard command to check off. I ordered some decorations but not all I had laboriously found. I did make some cards with the kids to share with family and friends. We visited friends after church like we do at Christmas. We went to the temple to celebrate and worship. 

It was lovely. We were invited to go in support of one of John's high school classmates who joined the church. Its always good to be in the temple with friends. The kids did baptisms switching taking care of Jake. That is nice too to know  all is taken care of.

We made Easter cupcakes. Alia insisted we could make them from scratch. She had found a recipe in the cookbook. She was right they were good. She made the coconut frosting before asking how... she added more green than I would have and we all had green teeth for a bit after eating them but they were tasty and fine. We had pizza after the Saturday sessions of conference. I had purchased some special treats for conference: grapes, mandarin oranges, gogurts, robin eggs, jelly beans, chips, peeps, chocolate bunnies. These are not normal purchases but went with the trying to celebrate more the day and event of gathering for conference and celebration of Easter.

Andrea and Marilla found dandelions and used them as face paint. They are a pretty little flower and so fun for little fingers to pick and pick. 

The kids also dyed eggs that were used for Sunday breakfast. 

Grandma Saunders and Alena are the picture of industry always busy in one way or another. They are working on this picture quilt. The treco fabric is nice to quilt but challenging as it snags easily. This bright puprle enlivens the senses. The amount of time put in to hand quilted heirlooms is hardly understood by those who don't participate. 

And we ended the festivities with an Easter play. This was new and a bit challenging and entertaining to say the least. Cousin Natalie is a veteran actress and knows how shows should go. The rest of the cousins not so much. Some were ok with dressing up- thankfully the Christmas costumes worked just fine in this application. Some were more reluctant. And one was downright vibrant. His joy at having a shepherd’s crook was evident and made us smile.

I loved the idea and think it was good to review and think about Easter too. 

Bruce had declared he wanted to be the apostle Peter because he had a sword. There were no swords or ear cutting. Aunt Rachel suggested grandma could teach him as she had cut her brother ear off on accident, as a child. Such witty siblings I have. Alas no swords which was for the best after the enthusiasm for the cane from the littlest apostle. 

We had enjoyed a lovely dinner with over 60 in attendance. We continue to grow in number and that is a blessing. I hope we can each keep choosing to forgive and gather. That becomes harder as more years pass but I hope there is enough good memories to want to come back together. 

These two were enoying grandmas flowering trees. Afton had fashioned a crown for Andrea. 

They hunted eggs thanks to Aunt Mary and went home with bags of candy and full tummies. We received a phone call as we were leaving that a friend needed some help eating soft serve ice cream. We are all about service so we rushed to their house to finish off a very full day with more food. Thankfully ice cream just squishes around what else is in your belly. We are blessed to know Jesus lives, that he suffered and died for us and did indeed conquer all. The great gift of His gospel is peace, hope, and joy. I am thankful for this understanding and faith. Life is so good. 
 

Home Learning

 Jake discovered himself in the mirror in March. I was attempting to get a picture of his full size legs. He is a snuggle bug. I read that maybe babies who demand so much holding are to teach moms to slow down. I've come to a near stop with Jake I have short bursts of activity followed by hours of meeting his demands. 

Andrea at the shop with Lexi and Harold. She is a cutey as well independent nowadays and very imaginative. 

Oh my Bruce. Raised by Reed to be a no nonsense tough guy not a "Baby." He's strong and capable and funny to listen to. HE gets things on a deep level and knows the gospel. Here he's clearing weeds to burn. He can do most things I'm always impressed how the younger ones just step up or are pulled up by the older ones. 

Our spring has been inviting to work outside. Afton is working to cover the peas Andrea and Alia planted we are still waiting to see them come up but it was a hope filled evening when we planted rows of peas and beets. 

At home we had a good stretch of school for Merle and Andrea. Coloring is much more fun but more engaging than constantly practicing writing. So I would draw pictures for them to color. 

Some we shared and some just enjoyed here. I love artprojectsforkids.com. I have followed her tutorials for years and have been successful enough the kids knew what I drew to color it correctly. 

We were doing so well then life happened. So again we shall try to get Merle reading and counting confidently. The writing is much harder for him. He's my youngest son to go to school. I know these tasks take time. So we wait and work at it little by little. Life is good and full of Mr. Jake's demands or cries it's my choice which I listen to. We are blessed. 

Track

This year an April Johnson a professional photographer provided her skills to capture the track team. Can you spot the crown on Addie’s head? She did not come

Up with this photo idea but obeyed the instructions. 

Oh how the years have flown by with these ladies adding friendship and the good part of growing up. They are strong and fierce competitors. Addie loves the addition of these determined hard working women to her love of running. Track is just a good way to end the school year. 

 

So funny and so blatantly out of character for Addie. She is indeed highly respected and noticed but humble about it and much more concerned about others than herself.

Reed is really growing right now in strength and socially. 

Sports gives you time together with peers contributing to the team goal of winning and testing your own abilities and limits. It’s good to work together. Both guys Bannock and Mr. Stewart are serious competitors with years of experience. Reed is learning by watching.

The best part sharing the experience. Addie knows the routines and encouraged Reed to try.

In his first match he placed first as the meet ended early due to lightening. Still a win is a win. Reed is strong and agile he will be a bonafide winner if he keeps practicing.

Track is coed so more social experiences and learning. And the competition can be fierce. We have an excellent coach who encourages experimenting and finding what you can excel at. Another journey begins we are very blessed. 

Mom and Sons

I was honored to be able to attend the bi-annual mother son event with Bruce. He was much more willing to participate this year. Maybe because we rode with friends, maybe he has really grown up? Proably both. The only picture because he would not take one at the photo booth. I use to be quite the dancer I danced with him, and two of his peers whose mom's were not there or busy with their brother. It was fun. Thankfully there were some really good mom dancers to follow as I didn't line dance much in my past. 

A lot of geese have nejoyed our cover crop this winter. Merle and the dogs went to chase them off. 

Merle ran the full pivot cirlce getting rid of those geese. He is so strong and healthy. We are blessed. 

Livy home from working with dad. This is an intense season of homework. While I grind my teeth watching I also know it's the purpose of education. We must be pushed to high expectation to really grow. 

Back to the boys Jake is getting better by the day with his hands. He was able to grasp his bottle for the first time one day a while ago. 

He is just so cute. I see the clothes he is wearing in these pictures and can say he has outgrown them in the month that is past. He wore the 6-9 mos size for about 4 weeks maybe. 

He loves to suck on his fingers. He has his own unique look. We sure love this little/ big guy. 

A jacket for a day. 

Moving into pants as he needed more room for his ever lengthening torso. The rose is from my evening out with Bruce. It bloomed so nicely. 

My oldest son got himself a fiancee. She is such a nice gal. Andrea tells me she is going to have a new sister. She is really excited. 

They went up to Twin Falls Idaho behind Aunt Kristi's house and then she took some confirmation pictures to share with family. 

When Reed is home he takes a turn holding Jake and playing with him. I think this was Reed/Greg's birthday evening. 

 Mark called early one morning to tell us he broke his collarbone in a bike accident. He was racing on his bike when wash out mud was too much and he slid and fell. His bike tire is destroyed and the tip of  his left collarbone is fractured. Thankfully he can walk and keep working. He had obeyed his mission president wearing his helmet and is thus spared any head damage. He is also aware of the protection and safety he was granted to only break one side of his body and not his dominant side at that. There is protection in obedience and the holy garments we put on each day. Those may seem routine or too simple but such are the promises of God. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. 

On the stateside front this missionary had a p-day vehicle check. His companion is such a good sport. I think they are having a great time. They have another person on date for baptism so about 1 per transfer. 

They had a zone conference where eah elder was asked to paint a square for a mural. John with his distinctive water bottle. Not a mistake it is prominent on the table. "Look busy Jesus is coming."

Merle resting with dad while watching general conference. 

Most of my sons and the lovely Anna in one shot on p-day phone calls. 

And John in the city. I miss these guys and their strong unique personalities and yet my heart is bursting with gratitude for the solid young men they are. I hear there testimonies, I watch them support and challenge each other, and I see the paths the blaze. Moving forward making new covenants, desiring to build independent lives with their abilities, faith, companions, and skills. This is what we planned for. 

We are thankful for each. We are so pleased with the trails they have blazed and marked and established for those following behind. We hope they continue to forgive, love, and have kind relationships with each other as they impact the world they live in. These guys my back up and muscles have moved on and yet their bantering and smiles on phone calls is just the highlight of my week. I am truly blessed.