A boy and his momma

Today after church Tyler asked if he could have a picture with me.  "Me?" I responded.  I'm not sure if it was because our outfits kind of matched or what but I'm taking it as a compliment.  I mean how many seventeen year old's request to have a picture with their momma?

I gotta say that the past two years, Tyler has really matured into quite a nice human.  Not that he was real painful before but he truly is pleasant and joyful to be around.  Tyler has had some opportunities this year to chose the harder right, than the easier wrong and I am really proud of him. 

Love this kid!

Love At Home

Each Fast Sunday we try to talk about some ideas as a family that we each might want to fast about.  Birch and I have been noticing that the tolerance level and love between the kids has been lacking.  Really we could all use an extra dose of patience with each other and be a little faster to forgive and a little slower to be sharp with one another.  How many times do we say, "would you treat a friend or teacher that way?"  Of course, we all need to work on the love level at home and so Birch suggested that we fast as a family with this in mind.

In April 1998, Lynn G. Robbins gave a talk at General Conference called "Agency and Anger." Birch shared at our family council meeting today a quote from the talk that I love, "[Satan] damages and often destroys families within the walls of their own homes. His strategy is to stir up anger between family members. Satan is the “father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another” (3 Ne. 11:29). The verb stir sounds like a recipe for disaster: Put tempers on medium heat, stir in a few choice words, and bring to a boil; continue stirring until thick; cool off; let feelings chill for several days; serve cold; lots of leftovers."

And so I now present to you the children that are working on an extra sprinkle of thinking of others more than themselves, a dash of forgiveness, a teaspoon of ignoring annoying things, and several cups of love for each other!

Ditto kids (minus Alex) on a sunny Sabbath morning

Oh the places you'll go

This past week Chloe had so much fun dressing up each day to celebrate Dr. Seuss week.  Chloe is VERY creative and thought out each outfit with great care.  I thought she looked super cute dressed up at Thing 1!  It sure is going to be strange to not have any elementary school aged kids next year when Chloe moves up to the middle school.

And NO!!! that is not our cat.  Seline decide several months ago that she wished she lived at our house so she spends about 80% of her day sitting on our front steps or glass deck door.  Being an anti-pet person (especially cats) I am coming to peace with this new creature living at our house.  She is not allowed in the house and the kids are quick to wash their hands every time they touch her.  They leave water out for her but never food.  You'd think when it is super cold outside she would go home to her house (her owner is about a half block away) but I guess love prevails warmth.  Chloe is loving pretending that she has a cat.  She can even call for it at school when she is out for recess and it will come running and find her.  

Alyseebird

Recently Alysee was awarded the Student of the Month for the Fine Arts department.  This year has been an adjustment for her in the auditioned Chamber Choir as they have a new director. Alysee has really been a leader in the group.  So proud of this girl and her willingness to share her talent of singing!

Peace in Christ

The theme this year for the youth at church is "Peace in Christ."  I have loved focusing more on this theme and scripture about "learn of me."

Today at church several youth gave talks focusing on the theme.  Alysee also sang the theme song with several other youth in the ward.  I made a recording of them singing while they were practicing before church.  It is such a beautiful song!

Wish you could have been there -- this is the next best.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yp4vCTVW-Y

It's hard to say "goodbye"

My Grandma passed away last night while being surrounded by loved ones.  My mom, dad, Laura, Seth, and cousin Eleanor were all holding her hand as she passed away.

How can 92 years just seem to be not quiet enough? Grandma will always have more class and elegance than me. 

I love that she joined a stock broker club, started a fitness group in her little town, always had the most impressive yard, grew fresh herbs year round, hosted big family gatherings without looking like it was a big deal, taught me how to use a loom, took me on my first ferry trip to Victoria BC (and didn’t disown me when I lost my cookies in the cigarette garbage can on the ferry ride), gave everyone second chances, allowed my little family to live in her cottage while Birch did an internship, took interest in my kids and taught them how to catch little frogs in her yard, and took time to love each of her grandkids.

I’ll always cherish the last few visits with my Grandma where I was able to express my love for her through actions and touch. She primarily lost her ability to communicate when she had her stoke this past September but she expressed her love in a more tender way after her verbal abilities were robbed from her.

Love you Grandma Howe!!!

Wimbledon comes to Yakima

 Today Tyler competed in his first tennis tournament outside of a school meet.  He and a friend played doubles, winning their first two matches, sending them to the championship match!  The championship match was scheduled to be held on Sunday.  We were proud of Tyler and his friend as they chose to honor the Sabbath day and not compete on Sunday.   So, they settled for second place in the tournament.  It was fun to watch some great serves, quick net play, and some very athletic shots.  We're at the beginning of high school tennis season, and Tyler is looking forward to a good one!

Congrats, boys!