Happy Mother's Day and Birthday (to me) 2025 version

 It is July of 2026 and I just realized I never published this. I had a bunch of cards and things and I forgot to post then, so I'm going to move this to May of 2026. :) 

I love my husband and children and am very grateful I get the opportunity to be a part of this family. They all made me feel loved on Mother's Day my birthday. 

On Mother's Day I got to hear Sarah give a talk on motherhood and she did a wonderful job, and I loved listening to Audrey sing with the other Primary children. 

On my birthday Mike to me to see the Broadway production of Wicked and it was amazing! 

Happy Easter!

I'm not sure what was up with my Easter pictures, but I was not on my game. They're all weirdly outlined and it's August, so I don't remember why. I'm going to blame it on my husband being deployed. (or Perimenopause, because I blame a lot of stuff on that as well) I didn't get a picture of Audrey's basket full, but that's okay. (Everything is okay, right?) ;) After talking with a friend, I wanted to make Easter special for the boys again. I always get them a basket with a book and candy, but I wanted to do a big kid Easter Egg Hunt. I filled some eggs with $1 and $2 and then had a golden egg with $10. Adam wasn't very interested, but Audrey and Steven looked. Maybe I'll save this for when I have older grandchildren. 

Either way, it isn't about the eggs, baskets, and bunnies. It is about Jesus. How thankful I am to Him for His life, love, Atonement, and resurrection. I doubt I'll ever be able to put into words my gratitude, but I am eternally thankful for the knowledge of a loving Savior that made ALL THINGS Possible. 

I was just reading a wonderful talk by Elder Renlund called, "Because of Jesus Christ." It is SO Powerful! Here are a few quotes that I especially love. 

"Because of Jesus Christ, when we repent and follow Him, “immediately [will] the great plan of redemption be brought about unto [us].” The Redeemer suffered the punishment for everyone’s sins, transgressions, and mistakes. He can and will declare guiltless all who believe on His name, repent, follow the covenant path, and strive to endure to the end. “All mankind may be saved” because of Him and His atoning sacrifice. All means everyone. If everyone, then anyone. If anyone, then even one. And if even one, then even you.

Jesus Christ has infinite capacity to forgive, promising that “as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.” Because of Jesus Christ, sins for which we have sincerely repented leave no spiritual scar, track, or trace. There is no scarlet letter to wear, now or in the eternities. When we repent with real intent, the entirety of our sin, not just a part, is figuratively nailed to the cross and we no longer bear its spiritual consequences. After we have repented, we owe no more to justice because Jesus has paid the debt; He pardons us from deserved punishment. We are forgiven, our hearts and hands are made clean, and the Lord remembers our sins no more."

I am so grateful for my Savior and the gift He is to me, my family, and the world!

Spring Break in Orlando with Ash and Johnny

 We were supposed to be in Japan over Spring Break for Steven's senior trip, but the US went to war and Mike was deployed. The boys didn't want to do anything, so I decided to see if the Shades of Green resort had openings, and they did! I invited Ashley to come, thinking there's no way she would, and she did! Her kids weren't on spring break, so she could only take Johnny, since he's still in elementary school. I wanted to visit the new Epic Universe park, but it was sold out, so we visited Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and had a great time. 

Our first day was a travel day. We arrived, Audrey napped, and we waited for Ash to arrive. We visited the hotel pool, but it wasn't an overly warm day. (not that the kids minded) Ashley and I went walk and ALMOST got eaten by a wild crocodile. (That's our story and we're sticking to it) Could the sound of rustling next to the walking path been something other than a hungry crocodile? Sure. Was it? We may never know, because we ran so fast back to the hotel that the crocodile didn't stand a chance. (I only had to be faster than Ash, and everyone knows I still am in spite of my bad hips) ;)

Our first full day we went to Universal Studios first, then took the train to Islands of Adventure, and then back again. We let the kids lead us wherever they wanted. 

We then went to Islands of Adventure so Audrey could overcome her fear of animatronic dinos. If you remember from our last trip in Feb of 2023, Audrey REALLY wanted to see Blue the Velociraptor, but was terrified when it was her turn. This time, she did GREAT! She also got a new wand, so we spent a lot of time in the HP portions of the parks letting her try out some spells. 

On Day 2 we started at Islands of Adventure 

Random March

 More Kitty hugs for Mike. 

Audrey needed to interview a member of the military to ask them what it means to be a Patriot, and what the flag and Pledge of Allegiance mean to them. Luckily, Audrey had a military member in house. As part of her assignment she also needed to do service, so we cleaned up garbage on our walk home. There was quite a bit, and it was nice to see other kids pitching in to help. 

Apparently history from a long, long time ago was circa 1999. Sigh, I'm old. ;)

Nine Months!!

Lynette and I went downtown to see the blossoms before they died. 

Some of Andy's photos and art were being displayed at a shop downtown, so we went to check it out and support him. Audrey got a coloring book about cat butts. 

Audrey's Daddy and Sarah dolls

 My friend Megan is a talented crocheter and I ordered a "Sarah Doll" for Audrey. Once she found out Mike was deployed, she decided to make Audrey a Daddy Doll of Mike in his flight suit. I teared up when I saw it. Audrey brought him to Orlando with us and sleeps with him. Such a wonderful and thoughtful gift.