A Very Cold Spring Break in Utah, Easter at Home

Indeed it was. Cold, and rainy some days, it reminded me of a nice bleak winter day--not the week before a very late Easter! It was just like my first year in Provo, where it stayed cold until June. Bryce and the big kids decided to make the most of the still-falling snow and go up to Brighton (skiing for Bryce, snowboarding for the kids).

1. Mary's First Time Snowboarding, Tyce's Second, and Bryce's First Time Skiing Since We've Been Married

Grandpa Al stayed cozy doing his crossword puzzles in the lodge. But he did enjoy watching the kids for a little while. Mary had snowboarding lessons and a teacher practically to herself.

Even though she did well in her lessons, she spent a lot of time like this. Snowboarding is a lot harder than skiing.

Just don't compare yourself to Tyce. He thought it would take Mary 5 minutes to get down the hill but it took her an hour!

But look--there she goes!

She loved the ski lift most of all.

Back at the lodge, Grandpa Al and Tyce found something very funny.

Poor girl was exhausted after a long day!

Bryce had a really fun time skiing--even Al said he'd like to take it up again.

2. Cameron  Lost His Top Teeth

On the same day! Look at these cute boys with all their missing teeth. I love when kids lose their top teeth! The boys have about the same dental landscape as their baby cousin Natasha.

3.Museum of Church History and Art

One of the highlights of our spring break was visiting Temple Square. The children's exhibits were particularly engaging and we spent a couple of hours there.

Tyce and Kira Price (age 4) outside the museum.

Cameron, Kess (age 8), Kira, and Mary really enjoyed dressing up and dancing to the life-sized video instruction.

Harrison, always independent, found his own entertainment. This exhibit featured the sounds of different instruments.

The kids spent at least an hour "feeding the missionaries."

They sure loved playing with that food-food.

Bryce and Kira waited together while some kids finished up.

Tyce explored the rest of the museum on his own. He came back and showed Grandma Judy the pictures he'd taken of his favorite things.

In another part of the museum there was a podium used in the Tabernacle.

I gave my first and only talk in General Conference, to an invisible but appreciative crowd.

These quilts captivated me. This one was made by a lady while her husband went through a serious illness. Its pattern was inspired by the scripture in Luke 12:27 and aptly titled "Consider the Lilies."

This one depicted the 13 Articles of Faith. It was so beautiful it blew me away.

Made by a mother whose child was hospitalized for long-term care. It is made entirely of clothing labels.

Talk about one that choked me up: this one represents the revelation in 1978 that all worthy males were eligible to receive the priesthood.

A worldwide sisterhood.

I loved this one because it was made of paper and modge-podged onto wood. That's the kind of quilt I think I could manage making.

All done, and outside the museum again. The cousins: Mary Rachel, Kess, Kira, Cameron, Tyce, and Harrison.

Kess and Mary are so pretty.

Judy took us to her office in the Family History center. We were a bit noisier than anyone bargained for.

4. Easter Festivities

Getting ready to hunt for eggs--and Bryce is poised to leap into action.

They got lots of good candy and even some special surprises--Harrison found Dora the Explorer socks intended for Kira but she would have nothing to do with them. He was happy to keep the flower-dotted socks for himself!

Grandma Judy let the kids decorate Easter cookies. While two kids decorated, the others watched a movie.

They enjoyed being creative.

Because creativity is delicious.

5. Easter Day

We left on Saturday so that we could be home for Easter. (One year we traveled on Easter and hated it--it was a totally wasted day.)

Backtracking a little--right before spring break our community choir, Henderson Choral Artists, had a concert. Oh man, it felt good to sing such a variety of musical styles (hymns, spirituals, choir arrangements) under the amazing direction of Darrell Crowther. The choir's performance was called "I Believe in Christ" and every song testified of our Savior and the glorious reason we celebrate Easter.

Tyce and I before the performance, contemplating our parts (bass and alto).

So we made it home and everyone got up on time for church. Of course, that could be because I told them the Easter Bunny only visits kids who actually go to church.

The hit of the baskets were the Zhu Zhu pets I got on mega sale at Target. They were perfect because Easter is about life, and hamsters are alive, and Ninja hamsters with weapons are . . . wait, where am I going with this? 

I didn't plan for our Easter brunch before we left for Utah; we had no ham! Boohoo! I hurried and made muffins, scrambled eggs, hot spinach dip in phyllo cups, left-over taquitos, and saltines-and-Nutella; I pulled hard-boiled eggs and  clementines out of the fridge. The centerpiece was made by Mary--she did the whole table.

Here are the men, ready to brunch it up.

 I was so glad to have a great spring break and to celebrate Easter with my family. I am so grateful that Jesus Christ died for me, and I rejoice that he HE LIVES!

I Believe in Christ

Hymns #134

I believe in Christ; he is my King!

With all my heart to him I’ll sing; 

I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy, In grand Amens my tongue employ.

I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son!

On earth to dwell his soul did come. 

He healed the sick; the dead he raised. Good works were his, his name be praised.

I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!

As Mary’s Son he came to reign. 

‘Mid mortal men, his earthly kin, To save them from the woes of sin.

I believe in Christ; who marked the path!

Who did gain all the Father hath. 

Who said to men, Come, Follow Me, That ye, my friends, with God may be.”

I believe in Christ – my Lord, my God!

My feet he plants on gospel sod. 

I’ll worship him with all my might; He is the source of truth and light.

I believe in Christ; he ransoms me!

From Satan’s grasp he sets me free. 

And I shall live with joy and love In his eternal courts above.

I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!

From him I’ll gain my fondest dream. 

And while I strive through grief and pain, His voice is heard;

“Ye shall obtain.”

I believe in Christ; so come what may!

With him I’ll stand in that great day, 

When on this earth he comes again To rule among the sons of men.

Kindergarten Play

Our boys were very manly bumblebees. The "queen bee" was a girl in our carpool, Madison, who was typecast for the part. Other little friends were ladybugs, army ants, horseflies, butterflies, and fireflies.

 I was very proud of our shy boys for saying their lines! They did great. Harrison got bored waiting for his part and so he found a black feather from one of the ladybugs' boas and played with it. You can see him sticking it to his face like a mustache.

I loved seeing all the kids on stage and doing such a terrific job. What a bunch of cuties! And what a great, dedicated group of teachers who spent months preparing the kids for their musical theater debuts!

Not bored, just thinking about ice cream.

The Pain in Progress

I will write about Easter and spring break soon. I have some really great pictures to show you, so look forward to that in the coming days.

I am realizing that I have--or had--become complacent in my knowledge of gospel doctrine. In college I had a period of rapid intellectual and spiritual growth which sustained me until my calling as a seminary teacher. I think it might have sustained me my whole life. My strands of testimony were tightly wound into a tight ball. There was no room for knowledge to escape. No room for doubt to creep in. It seemed like the best way to safeguard my beliefs.

I didn't even realize this until I started studying the doctrines I knew so well. And because I was reading, researching, and preparing to teach church history and the Doctrine and Covenants in a way I hadn't before, an interesting thing happened. Instead of rolling my ball, hitting on the points of doctrine I already had stored, I found threads of truth not previously incorporated into my cohesive body of knowledge. A hole was poked here, a chunk blown out there. New information meant a shifting of interconnected strands. If this is true, then this is also true. But if this is true then what I thought I knew is incorrect. What I thought was false may be true at a certain point.

And . . . my nice ball unraveled in a messy pile.

It's like when you clean out your closet--finally boxes of things you love but never look at get sorted. Things you thought you needed, you realize you don't. And when you're done, you have a lot more space for new stuff! But boy, what a mess you have to clean up outside your clean closet's door. It would have been much easier to shut the door and keep things as they were.

Easier, but not necessarily better.

It is painful to readjust--to include some things I hadn't wanted to, and to throw out some that were merely practices and not principles. It is painful to realize that God is perfect but his people are not.

(Which shouldn't surprise me, because hello--I'm certainly not perfect.)

I won't go in to details but you have had similar discoveries, questions, challenges, or issues in matters of religion. I'm sure of it.

I am putting the ball together again, integrating the old and the new. But this time, I will leave a little room for growth--for my body knowledge to be dynamic and alive--growing and changing as my understanding increases. If the strands were all one color they wouldn't be very interesting, would they?

I do love the gospel of Jesus Christ. If there is anything I can hang on to it is the love of my Savior for me and all mankind. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to grow as I teach the young people in my seminary class, and I hope that I am helping them to draw closer to Him.

In my lesson today we read this quote from the straight-shooter Brigham Young:

"Why do people apostatize? You know we are on the 'Old Ship Zion.' We are in the midst of the ocean. A storm comes on, and, as sailors say, she labors very hard. 'I am not going to stay here, says one; 'I don't believe this is the "Ship Zion." 'But we are in the midst of the ocean.' 'I don't care, I am not going to stay here.' Off goes the coat, and he jumps overboard. Will he not be drowned? Yes. So with those who leave this Church. It is the 'Old Ship Zion,' let us stay in in" (Discourses of Brigham Young, 85).

I am grateful to be a passenger on the "Old Ship Zion," with many faithful and imperfect people trying their best to navigate this life. I am grateful that the Master steers the ship and leads me through rough and still waters so that I may appreciate the beauty in both.

There is pain in progress . . . but it's the only way to keep moving forward.

Easter Egg Coloring

Last week we dyed eggs. We only had two real egg dippers so I made Mary one out of a coat hanger--I don't know if that was resourceful or just ghetto.

Spring Carnival

Every year the elementary school puts on a really great carnival at Saguaro Park.

Bella, Sara, and Mary ate snow cones.

Cameron and Harrison loved that hamster ball!

Cameron played Laser Tag.

Mary and Sara got their faces painted.

Harrison was excited to find a classmate to pal around with.

Mary and Bella hula hooped for a long time.

The DJ played some fun music.

It was cold, it was windy; it was warm, it was sunny . . . in other words, it was Spring. We had a fun time and I'm so glad for all the hard work that goes in to putting this on.

Tyce was with the high school choir that day at their annual festival, where they earned ones straight across the board!

Lovely Springy Spring

Days like this make me glad for half-day kindergarten, where I can spend special time with my two sweet boys. Last week we went to the park at the end of our development.

How adorable is our Cameron!?

And our Harrison!? Such handsome young men.

Harrison enjoyed playing baseball.

And Katie enjoyed herding him. Harrison is the only one she feels she must keep in line.

Harrison tried to teach Katie to fetch the ball for him.

And she did!

After a playing baseball, he sat down to blow dandelions. I love this picture.

Cam rolled down the hill and repeatedly crashed into Harrison. Why Katie doesn't herd *him* is a mystery.

I am grateful for beautiful weather, blooming flowers, green grass, and a renewal of spirit as I bask in the splendor of spring.



If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.  ~Anne Bradstreet

One Year Older and Wiser, Too

When you're 37 you're one step closer to heaven . . . meaning more angelic, of course. My birthday (on the 5th) made me so sweet I could put a diabetic into a coma just by saying hello.

Helllllllll-oooooooooh. See what I mean? Pure sugar. Get someone to pass you a potato chip, quick.

Anyway.

How did I spend my birthday, you want to know. Well, I got a pedicure, ate a sandwich called The Bobbie at Cappriotti's, bought myself some new earrings, and came home for a family party--where a cheesecake was waiting for me. Booyah.

I didn't want wrapped gifts for my birthday. I am afraid of ending up on an episode of Hoarders. When you have a giant house you tend to fill it up, and heaven knows I'm due to get rid of at least a quarter--maybe half--of my stuff as it is. This does not mean I'm opposed to spending money, mind you. But I'd rather spend it on experiences than possessions. So as for gifts, Bryce had the kids get creative. Mary chose to get a pedicure with me (which we will do in a few weeks). Tyce surprised me with doughnuts in my seminary class--and I do mean surprised! I had just started a very solemn video about the life of Joseph Smith when he came in with a few of his classmates and began singing "Happy Birthday" to me. When we flipped on the lights I saw Bryce standing at the other door with milk and juice. I turned off the video and wrapped up my lesson, which didn't seem to disappoint the class since they got out a little early and scored free doughnuts. It was so thoughtful of Tyce to surprise me like that--that really made my day.

I would like to see the PG-13 version of the movie "The King's Speech" this weekend for a date. Just in case anyone I'm married to wants to ask me out. Hint.

It was a good birthday. I got tons of good wishes from people in the form of phone calls, messages, a potted flower from my friend Aranne, and birthday cards in the mail. I love my family and friends!

Our Story of Adoption--Part 9

I told Bryce about my prompting. "Don't get your hopes up," he said. "You know the odds are not in your favor, being that she has not one, but two parents trying to regain custody."

It was true. Her birth mother and father were no longer together but both wanted their baby more than anything.

But in the meantime, we got to care for 6-month-old Baby Mary. She was the most feisty, strong-willed, precocious baby we'd ever seen--meaning that when she wasn't a terror she was a delight. She began talking at 9 months, walking at 10 months, and bossing around the other kids soon after. Several nights at dinner when the kids were rowdy, Mary stood up in her high chair, pointed her finger, and commanded in her baby voice, "Eat! Eat! Obey!"

In keeping with the plan of service, Mary had regular visits with her birth mother. As with all of our foster children, we took her to the Casa's Rocket Center, where we handed Mary to a caseworker. The caseworker took the child to the parent; the middleman was there to buffer any awkwardness or impropriety. However, there were sometimes brief face-to-face encounters between foster parents and birth parents.

One morning as I dressed Mary for a visit with her birth mom--Cee--I had the distinct impression, "Smile and be friendly."

So when I dropped Mary off, I made sure Cee and I saw each other. I smiled and waved. I thanked her for the cute outfit she sent and told her that her daughter was a joy. Then the caseworker closed the door.

I did this for every visit until one day, the three of us--Bryce, Cee, and I--met around a table for a court-ordered mediation.

After months had passed and hardships intensified, Cee knew that she was not in a position to care for her baby, now or in the forseeable future. This was also the position of the court, and in such cases the parent's rights are usually terminated. However, Cee looked at me and Bryce and said, "I want the best for my baby. I want to relinquish my parental rights, but only to these people. They treated me with respect, like a real human being. That's more than I can say for most of you people."

The room was silent.

"I can tell you love her," Cee said, turning her gaze back to us. "Will you adopt her? Please?"

Tears filled my eyes. "Yes, of course, Cee. We love her so much."

Time stood still. Was this really happening?

Impatient, practical lawyers interrupted our special moment. "It'll take time to draw up the paperwork. And don't forget, her father is still in the picture. This is not a done deal. This case has a long way to go."

But in my mind, we'd come so far. Not only were we a step closer to adding Baby Mary to our family, we had gained an ally in Cee--what a gift it was to have her blessing.

The lawyers were right; we had a long way to go. What we didn't count on was the birth father throwing a major wrench in the works with his insistence we put our fate not in the hands of a seasoned judge, but in the hands of 12 strangers.

Our daughter's life depended on the ruling of a jury trial.

Bump, Set, Spike!

The twins and I attended our second volleyball game, where Basic emerged victorious over Foothill in the best 2 out of 3 games. It was a nail-biter until the very end; Basic lost the first game, won the second, and it was touch-and-go until the Wolves pulled it out on the third. Tyce did a great job the whole time, and I just love his team spirit. He always stays positive and cheers on the team, even when he's on the bench. His positions are setter and server. I really think this is his sport--he seems to shine on the court.

"Mine!"

Perfect serve.

Sometimes you just have to dive to make the play.

Go go Gadget flexi-arm!

The ball is in the stratosphere.

Cheering from the sidelines (and posing for me).

Coming in for the huddle.

It's definitely a team effort getting that ball over the net.

Tyce is about to set the ball.

In our book, #2 is number 1!

It has been a blast watching him play! I look forward to the rest of a great season. And fingers crossed that he remains too busy with volleyball to get into trouble everywhere else.

Dreams Come True

Mary, who has always, always wanted a dog, is in heaven since Katie arrived. You know you love your pet when she takes your better pillow and sticks her bum in your face--and you like it.

Two sleeping beauties!

Luck o' the Not-Really Irish

Aye, ye be havin' a lucky day or me leprechaun be cryin' green tears t'night over his rootbeer

This is a text I sent yesterday to Tyce. Have you noticed that Irish-speak makes you sound like a pirate? Or am I just bad at typing like an Irishman? In any case, if you can believe it, he did not respond to this St. Patrick's day gem of a text. O'Rude!

If you read my Kiss the Cook blog, which I happen to know YOU DO NOT because my stat counter says 0 views in like forever, I gave each child their own box of Lucky Charms cereal for breakfast. Yes, an entire box because they were on sale for $1.99 and I don't have to deal with their sugar rush and crash--that's what school is for. (Thank you, teachers!) Props to me for being the "fun" mom this week.

They're magically addictive!

I also got each kid a pair of St. Paddy's day socks. How cute are kids with little green feet!?

The boys post-kindergarten with their friend J.J. I watch him two afternoons a week. It looks like they've all eaten a poisoned shamrock.

So being the "fun" mom that I am, I made the boys lunch. And by made, I mean I let them get out their box of cereal pour it themselves. Thank goodness for those 12 vitamins and minerals in every serving to turn marshmallows healthy.

This table seriously needs a centerpiece. Harrison can't even bear to look at the emptiness.

For dinner I made beef stew, which I renamed "Irish Stew", and biscuits, which I called "Soda Bread" (because real soda bread . . . well, it's not that delish). But the best part of the dinner was my leprechaun magic on our drinks.

First I gave each person an empty glass.

Before.

Then I poured the clear Fresca in the glass.

During--what the claddagh?

And finally we had the finished product, a nice tall glass of green goodness.

All thanks to the magic of food coloring.

I was going to serve root beer, but that just seemed wrong. Hey kids, let's offend an entire nation by pretending to be alcoholics! I don't know . . . those catchy drinking songs probably make more sense though, when you're downing a pint of frothy root beer rather than citrusy, no-cal Fresca.

We had Mary's friends Bella and Emily join us for dinner. Emily is our friends' 12-year-old newly-adopted-from-the-Ukraine daughter. She knows just a little English but it's heart-warming to see how Bella and Mary pantomime the words Emily doesn't know. They all had a really fun time together. As you can imagine, Emily is not fond of many American foods yet. She didn't even want to try normal, non-green soda at first, let alone eat our dinner. Her mom says she likes pizza though, so she's mastered an essential food for middle school lunch room survival. I can't imagine what she must have thought about the whole wear-green and watch-out-for-mischief "celebration" day.

Hope you kept from getting pinched . . . unless you wanted to be, of course!




 

****Post Edit****

When I installed my new Kiss the Cook blog template I lost my stat counter. No wonder it says there have been no visitors--my blog and the counter aren't linked to each other. Ugh. Sorry.

To My Friends and Family

May God grant you many years to live,
For sure he must be knowing.
The earth has angels all too few.
And heaven is overflowing.

Thank you for being part of my life . . . stick around a long time, will ya? Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Finding a Birth Mom: An Attempt

My philosophy on adoption is, if a mom can love more than one child, a child can love more than one mom (or dad). I think that most adopted children already do, even if they know nothing about their birth parents. I think it's innate to feel a connection to where you came from, and to fantasize about your first parents' looks, talents, and temperament. I know I would. Even though it's not my biological family, I am thirsty for information about my children's genetic (and social) history.

When it comes to our birth mothers I would like to initiate a relationship with those ladies--to let them know that their children are making good choices and doing well. I think that would help us all bridge the gap. I would like to send pictures and ask a ton of questions--whatever they might be comfortable with. Based on what I do know, I don't think that is very likely; however, it would be my ideal. Then when my kids are older and they want to find them--if they do--I'll have information to help them make an informed decision. The reality is that some birth parents are not emotionally or mentally healthy enough to have a relationship; I hope for the best, but that could be the case.

I have compassion and gratitude for those women who gave birth to our four amazing children. Though they haven't been physically present in our lives, they are part of our family every day. I have always tried to let our kids know that they can love and miss their birth parents and siblings, and that it's normal. I tell them I'm sure their birth families miss them, too.

So here's something interesting.

I found one of our birth mothers on facebook.

I knew her name and her hometown and her profile pic looked familiar, so I was pretty sure I had the right person. What sealed the deal was her "About Me" section. She wrote that she was missing some children and created this account so that they could find her.

Well!

I created a second facebook profile, just for the purpose of communicating with her (whom I will call Bee). I messaged her and said that I was the adoptive mom and hoped she was doing well. I told her a little about her offspring and asked if she would like to see pictures. I don't think I was too over-the-top, but maybe I was because it's been 2 weeks and she's not responded to me. I had found her once before on Myspace but she had already abandoned that account by the time I got there. Maybe she's already abandoned the facebook one, too; I'm sure there are plenty of people who set something up, never to return. I don't know. But I do hope to establish contact with her, that she's healthy. I wish her and our other birth mothers the very best--I want nothing less for my sisters in this journey.

Anyway, that's been on my mind.

I would really like to know more.

A mom can love more than one child, a child can love more than one mom, and I hope to have an opportunity to love them all.

Obedience Training

I took Katie to obedience training last Friday. Our sweet border collie summoned her inner Lassie to become the class superstar. All the other dogs were adorable little spaz-bots but Katie got every command (her name, sit, let's go) on the first try. One of the fellow attendees, owner of the shitzu-terrier, was being dragged down the aisle at PetSmart by her 6-pound fur-ball. I looked at Katie on the leash beside me, trotting along beside me as taught, and I smiled.

Heaven help me but I think I am turning into one of THOSE people. Am I crazy to feel proud of my dog? Is it weird to think my dog is the most beautiful canine in class? Next thing you know I'll be posting an album of Katie photos to facebook. Oh my freak out, I already did!

Anyway. Our dog is the best. You know that sweatshirt that says I {heart} my Border Collie? I'm totally getting that for my birthday, but with a picture of my own pup because mine is superior to the one silk screened on it.

So you may have gathered that I went to obedience training alone, even though 3 other family members were scheduled to join me. (But to be honest, it would have been non-stop drama with "It's my turn!" and "Give me the leash!" so I'm glad they weren't there.) Mary decided she'd rather play on the computer, which meant I could cancel the babysitter. Tyce's a capella group opened for the Yale Whiffenpoofs' concert, and so he and Bryce went there. Bryce said they were amazing, and Tyce had a great time.

Basic's a capella group, Project B. Tyce sings bass and beat-boxes.

Our next class is this Friday night. Who will join me? Maybe I should let Katie choose. Haha. But for the record, I do believe she is smart enough to do it.

Not surprisingly, the command-clicker-treat trifecta is very tempting for me to try with the twins.

List of 5

1. Tyce made the freshman volleyball team! Woo hoo!

2. The kids didn't have school yesterday. I took the three younger kids to see the movie Gnomeo and Juliet. This movie will be up your alley if you: a) think garden gnomes are cool, b) like Elton John's 70s rock, c) appreciate really, really lame jokes such as, "I'm not illiterate . . . my parents were married!" and "Who's your gnomie?", d) believe that British accents can redeem even the most stagnant of characters, e) have absolutely no knowledge of Shakespeare's original version of the tragedy. If any of these apply to you, then this movie is for you! (This does not apply to children, who like everything.)

3. Our dog is just the cutest and sweetest thing ever. She is mild-mannered and doesn't bark. She doesn't jump up on people or eat stuff off of the floor. She is well house-trained and understands basic commands. How did we get such an easy-going dog?

4. The missionaries came over for one last dinner at our house before Elder Flowers gets transferred today. He and Tyce were quite close, since they not only had compatible personalities but Elder Flowers is also biracial and from Houston. They formed a bond that I hope will be able to continue after the mission. I know Tyce really looked up to him.

5. This list is short, sweet, and a bit on the boring side. haha. Sorry about that. In real life I have a million things to say but sometimes I sit down to write and it seems like nothing is going on. But I have kindergarteners plus a friend about to walk in the door any minute, so I'm going to go for now. As Tigger would say, TTFN (ta-ta for now).