Blue Skies, new snow, a district medal for our wrestler!

The snow was nearly melted this week until Wednesday when a blustery storm blew in a covered us all up with a beautiful new blanket of glistening snow! Admittedly, it is a stunning sight against the beautiful blue skies and the lustrous rising full moon last night, but still, I'm yearning for Spring! It's always an amazing miracle to watch the snow melt, the grass appear and begin to turn green, the daffodils begin pushing up their beautiful heads.....it does give one hope, doesn't it? That in the midst of a frozen, dead world, there is the hope and dream that it will be green and living again? That keeps us going through the Spring 'tease' of winter/spring/winter/spring weather! This Spring I vow to pull every weed and get my flower beds in order quickly. It's unbelievable that at the end of summer I was so ready to be done watering and weeding and harvesting, now it seems like a special gift that I can't wait to open. I hope by August, I'm still singing the same song!
Enough of that Spring pining!





Today we got to watch Joseph take 1st place at the District Wrestling Tournament! Wow, he pinned his guy in 22 seconds flat! The fastest pin we saw all day! The best thing about it was watching him jump up and hold his thumb up in the air to his Dad after he pinned his opponent! He was pretty proud----and his Dad, well his chest did seem as if it was swelling a bit! His brothers huddled around him, in awe, so excited that they were related to someone who had done such an amazing thing! Jacob gave him high 5's and 'knuckles'. What a fun day! Well, here we go....on to state!




This week we have spent taking our turns being sick----that really yucky throw-uppy sick that makes you want to melt into the ground to gain relief! Jacob started it last Friday night. Jeff and I were going to the Temple on Saturday and staying overnight to 'get away'. So when Jacob was throwing up all night, I assumed our plans would have to change. But Jacob rallied a bit and we left later in the day. Jacob still had some rough times, but his brothers took good care of him and Jeff and I had a good time unwinding! Joseph even took his brothers to Stake Conference---amazingly they all got dressed on their own and made it there together (except for Samuel and Jacob). That does do a mother's heart good to know that her children can and will do some 'good' things on their own!

Sunday night took me and Jonathan down and soon to follow were Ben and Samuel on Valentine's day---not a very festive day! But Jonathan and I did enjoy making some Valentine coupons for everyone. I received some beautiful flowers and everyone went to bed early---wow, that was amazing! Because everyone spent Tuesday home (except for Jeff and Joseph), we decided to get busy and make our video auditions for the ISSI this summer. You'd think recording a 2 minute song wouldn't take very long, but it was amazing how it took our whole day, and night and the next day! I guess you should always just go with the first recording, because after you try for a 'better' one it just seems to get progressively worse until you wonder if anyone is going to be able to get through their piece at all! They did finally get done, submitted and applications sent off. Here is the 'fruit' of our recording sessions:

Benjamin playing "Scherzo" by Webster



David playing "Waltz" by Brahms



Jonathan playing "Twinkle Variation A" (aka 'Mississippi Hot Dog')



Samuel playing "Moon over a ruined castle" and "March in G"---Samuel auditioned for and received 3rd chair in the Bridgerland Honor Orchestra in Logan. He will perform in March with students in the 7-9th grades from the Cache Valley area! Congrats, Samuel!



And Joseph playing the 1st mvmnt. of the Bruch Concerto




Jacob started preschool and doesn't seem bothered by it at all! We've been a little inconsistent because of illness, but he seems to love all the social interaction and the kids seem to love him, too! Jonathan loves taking his little brother to "Miss Judy's" preschool on Mondays and Thursdays and "Sister Greene's" preschool on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Jacobs getting a little frustrated with his inability to communicate his wants and desires as quickly as he'd like to---or else frustrated with his parent apparent lack of being able to pick up his 'signs' or 'clues'! He still loves to dazzle us with his walking skills when we kneel down for prayer, but declines pretty vehemently to walk when asked. Hmmm....wonder where he got that stubborn streak from?

Here's Jacob and Sister Greene at Joseph's wrestling match----


Well, Spring will be here before we know it---lots happening in March---String Festivals, District Solo Competitions, Swim Meets, Basketball games (still!), Church Ball (going for the Stake Championship!) Track, and of course, school! Grateful for a 'loving' February---cute boys, fun times watching them at games, tournaments, scout events, etc. We are so blessed!