Mother’s Day

 Why is mother’s day so triggering? It brings up many conflicting emotions including; joy, sadness, failures, love, lost love, and so much more. My mom has been sick for the last year and a half. It has been extremely hard on her. I feel so selfish and I just want her to get better and for things to go back to the way they were. However, I know they can’t and they won’t. This Mother’s Day, I played the piano for a girl to sing in church and taught the relief society lesson. The boys picked flowers for me and wrote a card. Stephen made me brunch and bought me flowers. I made dinner for my mom, including bread. We played games and forced my mom to come downstairs and be social. It was very hard for her. She is dying and I don’t like it at all. 

Saturday night, Blair and I ran in the ladies night 5k. It was so fun! We wore matching outfits and Blair got a PR on her 5k time! We had a blast! 

May the Fourth

 Well it’s May. Things are picking up speed and I am trying desperately to keep up. I have a few summer projects I’d like to do before school starts again in the fall. Edward is nearly done with school and Nolen has just a few more math lessons left. Both boys have worked hard this year. As the school year ends, we tend to get antsy and lazy. I’m ready for my music recitals and for swim team! We have some great trips planned this summer, and I cannot wait! Craig and Blair are refinishing their pool so it will be ready for some fun swimming nights soon! 

Edward has been playing airsoft every other Saturday and has been loving it. His friend Ben has joined him nearly every time. They both love guns and are avid collectors of all things airsoft. 

The boys did a lip sync competition at church and had a blast! The videos are hilarious. 

Stephen and I went to see Trever Noah at Sandia Resort and I somehow missed that I had VIP tickets! We had amazing seats and laughed and laughed. He did a whole bit on Albuquerque and on green verse red chili! He was so fun to watch. 

A girls weekend

 Over the weekend, I flew to Colorado to hang out with my two best friends from high school. We had originally planned to ride horses but the weather did not cooperate. It rained and snowed the entire trip. Friday we ate at Guard and Grace in downtown Denver. We had three different types of meat; Grass fed, prime cut, and wagyu cuts. All three were delicious. 

Saturday, we enjoyed a slow morning with breakfast and the hot tub. Then we went down to the barn to take care of the horses. Saturday night, we ate at the golf course club house and went axe throwing. It was a blast. Sunday, we basically packed up and headed home. It was a fun relaxing weekend. So glad I have good friends who love to get together. 

Baby Birds

 Yesterday, I opened our front door to let in Edward's math tutor and a bird flew into the house!  It was a little alarming, but we got her out.  Edward captured her in a basket and then sent her out the back door.  Later that day, I made dinner for my parents, Landon, and Craig and Blair.  They all came by and I told them the story of the bird.  As we walked out the front door to take Pearl on a walk, Craig noticed a lot of bird poop in the wreath on our front door.  Then Stephen grabbed his phone to see what was up on top of the wreath and it was a nest full of baby birds!  Such a fun sight right at our front door.  

Saturday, Nolen and I also went running with the Cougar track team at the top of Menaul.  We had a blast.  I am often reminded why I love running so much; however, it has taken over my life for the last 7 years and I must let it go.  I am so sad to not be running as much with the team but more importantly, I need to spend more time with my family.  I have been saying this for years, but not actually doing anything about it.  So this year, I am making the change.  Change is hard.  Change is necessary for our family to stay together.  AND as the years have passed by, I realize that if things need to change in our household, I have to be the one to implement the change.  

Stephen and Edward have been going through a difficult time for the last few months.  It has been hard to navigate new territory in our family.  Stephen has had more health challenges in the last year and has made some significant changes that have effected us more than I ever thought possible.  It has also been a while ride with Edward as he navigates the difficulties of high school.  He is pulled in so many different directions.  Right now, he has been grappling with his identity and with who he really is in life.  He questions God and all things religion.  Being a parent of a teenager is far more difficult than I ever imagined, but I love it.  I love my sweet family.  I am so grateful we have each other to walk through this life. 

Lastly, Landon decided to move to Albuquerque and Logan tagged along so he could hang out with Edward. They had a blast playing outside all day!