double date night

My Christmas present to my brother and sister-in-law was a double date night to a painting class. It is the more the kind of gift that I would like to receive, but they said they like our company, so it all worked out. I had a lot of fun. 

Jared was a really good sport, and supportive of my interests. He did hate his painting in the end. I liked it, though! It represents patience and love for ME!

I loved J's spin on the scene. She changed her monument at the Tidal Basin and it looks fabulous. 

I love these people. 

My final product. Happy Cherry Blossom festival this week! 

I certainly had fun, but I am kind of scared of painting with acrylic, oil or water color. I really just wanted to take my hands and blend the colors the way I use charcoal and oil pastels. I like getting my hands dirty. It was challenging. But not too bad for my first try. Thanks to my mister, bro and sis for making it an fun night! And to the lady next to us for moving so we could all sit together. Ahh, there are kind and helpful people in the world still. <Sigh of relief> Just in case we forgot...

SPRING! Happy Easter!

Finally it feels like Spring!! My tulip bulbs from last Fall make me smile every time I walk out the front door. The hostas planted last year are coming back much stronger and fuller this year. I finally feel like a successful gardener. I planted something and it is alive and beautiful!!! Success.

 M'lady loves playing peek-a-boo in these holes. This is her "smile for the camera" face. 

I only paint her nails because she wants me to. She found the nail polish and kindly brought it to me. How could I resist?!?

Could his eyes be any more gorgeous!? I wish I could inherit them from him.  

This is one of his many "bad guy" faces. He's coming to get me. 

"What out, son! There's a dinosaur behind you!"

I'm in love with this lady.

Thank goodness the weather has improved, the sun is shining, and we can all play outside in comfort again.

I love Spring. It's perfect how rebirth, warmth and light follow Winter's death, coldness, and darkness. A perfect circle of life reminding us of the seasons of Life, and the rebirth we are offered through Christ's life and resurrection. Happy Easter this week!

Who's your hero? Ammon.

A couple weeks ago, the kids and I made puppets of characters from the Book of Mormon scripture story of Ammon. In the account, this loving and loyal missionary goes to a new land to serve the king there. He is tasked to guard and protect the king's sheep. The king's sheep have been shattered and stolen repeatedly by troublemakers. Ammon protects the sheep and defends the kings lands to the point that he has to fight the troublemakers and cut off their arms. Jared joined the fun by recreating the scene with our Lego guys. Dads are so much cooler with this kind of stuff than moms. At least in our house. 

The king's servants presenting the cut-off arms to the king, while recounting what they saw Ammon do to protect the King's possessions

The arms in a white basket

The white sheep

The trouble-making thieves without their arms

We didn't reenact this part, but because Ammon showed power and loyalty to the King, without expecting much in return, King Lamoni trusted Ammon, much like the relationship between Joseph of Egypt and Potipher. Ammon taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to King Lamoni and he was reborn. He caused that the truth and light be taught to all his people. Many were converted and found happiness and success.

It's important we share success stories with our kids, so they can find patterns and models to follow in their lives. Hopefully our kids won't get in a fight over something and chose to cut off arms though. ;)