Spring

The birds are busy flying about gathering nest components and food. They sing their little hearts out in the morning when Boaz and I head to the bus stop. It is still chilly in the morning. It is chilly enough that I make Boaz wear a jacket and his hat. He is fighting a spring cold. We practise spelling words on the way to the stop and then he is free to play around with his friends.

They gather weeds and use them as make shift swords. They are the remains of old reedy stalks. I like the look with his hat and shorts.

He doesn't like it when I take random pictures. I use the excuse that I am sending the pictures to his dad. But I get them for the blog too.

I tried a bit of pruning this Spring. The plum tree seems happy with my efforts. Boaz was looking forward to plums until I told him we wouldn't be here when they were ripe. Bummer.

This is the pretty tree by the front door. With the explosion of blossoms, the tree buzzes with busy bees. It is a bit erie, but I am happy the bees are gathering nector and pollen. I do like honey.

It is hard to stay focused in school and at work when it is so beautiful outside. My tulips and hyacinth are happy and adding color. The miniature roses are hard at work greening up. They will provide color later in the season.

I do love the renewal of life that is Spring.

Before and after

Josh had his all-band night. All the bands performed - from 6th grade beginning band to high school.

He had to wear church socks and shoes, and his tux was already at the school. I was amused, and a bit uneasy, at his outfit. So, of course I had to take a picture.

He did not want his picture taken. He had already pushed his socks down a bit. Before they were all the way up to his knees.

Not a great picture. Both my boys have an affinity for shorts. I don't think I'll get them to wear pants until it snows again. The picture is dark, but you get the general idea.

The concert is fun, because I remember the songs the younger bands played. It is a walk down membory lane and a night of seeing dramatic improvement in skills and tone. Don't get me wrong, the 6th grade did a great job. But having three to six years more under your belt is a dramatic improvement.

This is the tux and the schools bass trombone. It is super cool because it has two triggers. Note the additional tubbing wound around in the back. 

A better picture of the trombone. He wasn't too happy that I made him get it out again after he had put it away.

And here he is telling me he is done with the camera. He has done so well and enjoyed band so much I can't help wonder about the price of a trigger trombone for him. We'll have to see. But for now, he is enjoying the experience and the school's instrument. Although he still plays his trombone for Jazz band.

Kolor Kraze fund raiser.

I am not a huge fan of school fund raisers. I don't like sending my kids around the neighborhood soliciting funds. I don't like hitting up co-workers, who more than likely have their own fund raisers to support. I usually just give a reasonable amount and call it good. I have bought all sorts of things that I don't really use or want, just to check that off my list.

This is the second time Boaz's school has held this fund raiser. I like it. It's a color run. I didn't buy anything. It was a  community event where everybody got together and just had fun.

Therse are Boaz's best friends before the run.

Here they are after the run. Notice the little cups of color they are holding in their hands.

this is a picture of Boaz's teacher before the event.

She has a garbage sack as a skirt, a hat to cover her hair, goggles to protect her eyes and a dusk mask to protect her lungs. She was ready. The kids loved it. They love her.

Here is a picture of Boaz trying to get her.

Honestly, I think she won the battle. 

Boaz awash in orange. His best hit of the night.

A good way to remember his elementary career. He is getting ready to advance to 6th grade. Most 6th grades are out of elementary schools.

We will miss his teachers from this cute little school. Saying good-bye to part of his childhood. Well, we still have about two months to go.

Get away weekend

This weekend, Craig and I escaped to Southern California. He went on a recruiting trip and I was included. It was all surreal and I had a hard time wrapping my head around the whole thing.

It didn't feel real, even when I was at the airport. Even when I was on the airplane. Even when I changed planes in SLC. It didn't feel real until Craig drove up in(on) his white charger to pick me up.

He wasn't too happy with the angle because it didn't show it was a Charger. I am conscience about not showing a licence plate - silly because it was a rental car.

My cutie.

We went directly to the hotel to freshen up before dinner with the president of the company. 

The view outside the hotel window. It's crazy to me - all the palm trees and the wonderful sun.

The restaurant was just down the street, so we walked. I was remembering things from when I was a missionary in Ventura.

I  remember these flowers that I discovered and loved all those years ago. I don't know what they are called, but I love them. There was also this humble little white flowering ground cover. I don't know what it is called either, but it smells heavenly - so sweet and yummy. My fears about California started melting away. I don't know what it is about foliage, but I remembered good times as I saw familiar and loved plants. I also love the bottle brush flower, but I didn't get a picture of that one.

We hung out at a fountain while we waited for the clock to wind down. Earlier in the week, I told Craig that he was taking me to Babylon. He worried about that, perhaps he is still a bit worried about that comment. I am also worried about being a mother in California. I'm worried that kids will worry more about what my boys are wearing and not give time to figure out who they are. But I also know that there is a portion of that same attitude here in Southeastern Idaho.

I have come to terms with the issue. I have to trust in the goodness of my sons. I also have to trust that there are good, regular people in California just like here in Idaho. This is kinda' silly because one of the most real people that I know was raised in Southern California - one of my dearest friends and someone I look up to and wish I could emulate some of her greatest qualities.

The fountain behind the restaurant and the chairs we sat in and discussed our c onfidence in our boys to be good - even in Babylon.

Dinner was amazing. It was probably one of the most expensive meals I have ever eaten. The steak was amazing. Craig was told that he passed the test and we were given a little bit of information about the two locations. One will be in Santa Ana and one in Pasadena. I am a bit excited about Santa Ana because Craig will have to visit a smaller group in another state. Can you say Hawaii. I am almost giddy with the thought of being able to visit Hawaii and maybe introduce that state to my boys.

We drove around a bit the next day. I am in shock at the prices of houses. I know absolutely that we will be living much smaller if we move there. But I want - need - to be able to keep the piano. Josh has gotten to the point that he is playing for Priesthood meeting on a rotating basis. He has also played in seminary. I am unwilling to give that up. Boaz is able to play for our Family Home Evenings. I can't give up the music that my boys are learning.

We then drove up to Pasadena. We were right down town and I fell in love with the feel of the city. The City Hall stole my heart.

Just a few blocks from our hotel.

The wonderful thing about this building was the enclosed plaza - complete with fountain. We tossed a penny over our shoulder and made a wish - but failed to take a picture. We did see 4 - 5 weddings. The car in the corner of the picture was a strech hummer. Silly looking vehicle. One the way back there was a black strech hummer parked in the same place.

We wandered - following the maps on Craig's phone. We found the office and the Jamba Juice across the street. It was yummy. I might spend way too much in that place if we moved there.

We wandered back and met Craig's college roommate who lives about an hour from Pasadena. He brought his wife and youngest son - a senior. Dinner was fabulous. We ended up at the hotel. I took Craig's phone to get a picture of the long time - long lost friends.

Smiling for the camera.

I was waiting for a candid moment.

The guys thought I was done and started goofing off. Here Lloyd is asking Craig what that bump was on his back. Implying that Craig was holding it in so much that he had a bump on his back.

And then the laughter begins.

My favorite picture.

Way too cute.

We chatted into the night. We talked about the challenges of raising kids in the area, the weather, the drought, the possibility of an earthquake, the Santa Ana fires, the price of living, etc. Pretty much the same challenges that we face here to a varying degree.

We went to Church with them on Sunday and then had to face reality and go back to our lives. We flew out on different airlines and at different times. My flight was first. I had an uneventful trip. After traveling on buddy passes - I am aware of how full the plane is and how many are waitlisted for the flight. Needless to say I was so glad to have a confimed seat. The planes were packed.

I had a two and half hour lay over in SLC. I finished my book on the plane to SLC so I was bored. This is what happened.

Me waiting for the plane to Pocatello. Craig and I got set up on Instagram while we were playing with Lloyd and his family. This is my first Instagram posting. I got home just after 11 pm.

Craig on the other hand waiting on the runway in LAX way too long. In Denver, he ran down the consource to his connection. He knew he was close. He got to the gate just at the scheduled time and was rewarded for his haste by watching the plane pull away from the gate. There are only two (?) flights that go into Durrango. So he got to the hotel after 11 and had to be back at the airport by 4:30 to catch the 6:00 am flight.

I'm glad I made it home on time. The boys were already in bed. I gave them a kiss goodnight and went to bed. Today I had to get right back on track and am working for the next six days straight. I feel bad about Craig's experience. He is having an early night today. He is set up for interviews in Cortez tomorrow. We are hoping that we get an offer for California by Wednesday. It will be impossible to say no to a good job without a viable offer from somewhere else.

Quilting with Kayla

My neice came up and for the past two days, we have chatted, shopped for fabric, and quilted.

She came up to learn how to quilt. I had her look at pictures of my quilts. I had her look at quilts on Pinterest. I had her look at my stash of fabric.

She decided to do my first project. A sampler table runner. I have learned a lot since I first sewed that. The  major lesson was all about value. I wouldn't let her make my same mistake. She picked her colors and I made sure she had some light fabrics and dark fabrics along with the more common medium fabrics.

She has learned how to iron, measure, cut and sew 1/4 inch seams. She has learned about nesting seams and pinning.

She got 9 six inch blocks completed in two days. I am so impressed. Her corners and points are excellent, perhaps better than some of my corners. I think she had fun, I hope so. I sure had fun.

The first four blocks completed.

The first 9 blocks. She only has 3 more to go. And then there is a big middle block in the middle. She'll have to come up again and I will teach her how to applique. I'm excited. I think she has done an excellent job.

This is a picture of the pattern. You can find it at Craftsy.com. An inexpensive pattern you can download and print yourself.

Obviously, we didn't stick to just one color, we have many colors. The center block is perfect to learn how to applique, another way that we modified the pattern. 

The directions are clear and contains pictures. Really a great project to learn how to quilt: half square triangles, flying geese, quarter square triangles. This pattern has some of my favorite blocks: log cabin, rail fence, friendship star, churn dash. And some of the most basic blocks: nine patch and 16 patch.

Wisdom from Miles.

Miles lives just down the street. He and Boaz are best friends. They both love to read. They play soccer and basketball at recess together. They like video games. They like Studio C and both do well in school.

Miles' mom told me tonight about a conversation she had with him today.

She asked, "Why do you like Boaz so much?"

"Because he's mature. We both like the same things. When my other friends come over, I feel like I'm babysitting."