May Happenings

 The girls LOVE play-dough. PC hates the mess of it, but I love how it allows them to be creative and they play with it for hours together!

 Goofy had his gifted night where they show off their big project they've been working on. He loved doing his on being healthy. And his teacher was so proud of him because he was the only one who chose that topic!

 Tink received her Varsity letter for track. She was so happy!

 Bucko had to have some gum tissue removed and brackets put on his canines to pull them down. His braces haven't been progressing because they couldn't do anything until all his teeth came in. They didn't have any glasses in the room we were in, so he wore my sunglasses and they topical numbing ointment on the q-tips stuck in his mouth just made him look funny. I couldn't resist taking a picture.

 Bucko's good friend in our neighboring troop received his Eagle. We were glad we could attend the Court of Honor for him. These guys are such great buds.

 I just love Rosie's long hair. She lets me try new hairstyles sometimes.

 And she likes to take selfies when we have to sit around for things. (This is at Bucko's 8th grade graduation held in the high school gym.)

 Goofy had a great soccer season. He especially loved having his uncle be his coach. They had a pool party to celebrate the end of the season.

 And we couldn't resist trying out the Hobby Lobby challenge while we were there. I have beautiful girls!

One Month

I have put off posting about this for a long time, but tonight I finally feel like writing. One of our good friends passed away one month ago after a twelve year battle with cancer. He left behind a young wife and three little girls. My girls are good friends with them, and we all absolutely adore his wife. Paul was Tink's Sunday School teacher for almost two years. He loved those kids he taught so much and worried so much about them. I hope Tink never forgets what she learned from him.
There have been so many tears shed in our house in the past month. Many times I felt like I wasn't "worthy" to cry for his passing as I know how much harder it is for his wife to get through this. But then I would remind myself that I have covenanted with God to "mourn with those that mourn." And honestly, I know Paul is much better off where he is now, free from physical pain. But my friend is struggling. My tears are for her. My heart wants to leap out of my chest and comfort her somehow, but everything just comes out in tears. She is an absolutely amazing woman whom I have looked up to since I've known her. She has a strength within her that I know will get her through this, but I also know that she cannot recognize right now. But she's taking it one day at a time, and she is recognizing the good days.

The funeral was beautiful. His dad shared some funny and sweet stories that had us laughing, nodding our heads in agreement, and crying, all within a few seconds of each other. I took a half box of tissues, and we used every single one. Probably should have taken a full box.

 One of the best quotes from the funeral was, "There are two kinds of people: those who loved Paul and those who hadn't met him." So true.

Great Friends

Today we went to the retirement ceremony of a dear friend. He was called to be our bishop when our ward split three years ago, and PC and I loved serving with him. They lived just a few houses down from us, and we just absolutely love them. Their son was baptized this past weekend. It was an absolutely beautiful ceremony. This particular son has Down's Syndrome. He and his siblings sang a special musical number where part of it was this sweet boy singing and signing "I am a Child of God." There isn't much sweeter than that!
And today was another beautiful ceremony that highlighted our friend's career in the military and recognized his family for all their support. He has faced many trials throughout his life/career, but they don't faze him and he always comes out stronger. We have learned so much from this wonderful family and we feel so blessed to know them. PC couldn't attend the ceremony with us today, so I was a little worried about how the little girls would behave. Rosie and Shortcake sat at the end of the row with Bucko. A few minutes into the ceremony and Rosie had laid her head down on Shortcake's lap and fell asleep. She slept through the entire thing! It was so nice to just sit and relax and enjoy it all. I am so grateful for good friends, but I am eternally grateful for my sweet family.

Mother's Day gift

 I wanted to make something for PC's mom for Mother's Day and I decided a welcome sign, Colorado flag theme, would be a great idea! Of course, I had to make one for myself as well. I think they turned out pretty nice. I sure have gotten a lot of compliments on it from others who wish they had one. :)

Sky Sox Game

 We went to the Sky Sox game! It was Air Force night and we stuck it all the way until the end so we could see the fireworks!

 The best part of the night was this guy behind the boys. He was a fan that talks to the players! And he had this deep gravelly voice that was pretty funny all by itself but was magnified when the three cute boys in front  of him would repeat every.single.thing.he.said! Luckily, he was a great sport and just laughed about it. (And his buddies would joke with him to make sure he kept his language clean so they weren't copying anything bad.) It was so funny!

 And so fun that they all had cousins to hang out with and play with the whole time!

Prom

 Tink went to the spring formal with her friends. A couple of them came over and got ready at our house. I was able to do their hair. (Tink's is below.)

 Since it was May 4th, they had to do some fun pictures with light sabers. May the 4th be with you!