easter and a break

 I am way behind on blogging, but here are a few pics from our Easter Sunday. I felt quite sad not having Sadie home, but she was in good hands with her aunt and uncle in Utah.  We didn't even take our traditional after church photo by our front door.  One of our kidos (who shall remain nameless) was quite grumpy, and it kind of rubbed off on me.  That's real life, right? 

 We did enjoy our time with Gregg's parents and my nephew Clark.  I love celebrating Easter and spring and all that it symbolizes about our Savior's resurrection. Hope is a beautiful thing. 

Gregg and I were also feeling kind of sad that our kids had outgrown the egg hunt thing.  But, Sunday afternoon Sierra announced that she and Gentry would be dying eggs (I had bought a kit earlier in the week just in case) and their enthusiasm helped me to smile.

 As I sit here typing this post, I can hear rain falling outside.  It's one of those rare, but so appreciated April showers.

 Sadie will be home in just a few weeks. I am so looking forward to spending time with her this summer.  

     And so friends, my "to do" list has required some reevaluating.  The next couple of weeks will packed.  Sadie will be preparing to submit her mission application papers and Drew and Gentry will be wrapping up their lacrosse and soccer seasons.  Then there are all the usuals...homework, laundry, dinner, and the list goes on.  And....there are some other more important things that need my attention right now. So, it's time for a blogging break.  I'll be back in a few weeks.  My family always has to come first.  Thx for reading my blog....next post....Sadie's mission call.     

collision

An unfortunate meeting between Gentry, another soccer player, and the ground.

No worries, with a little bubble wrap and some packing tape, she'll be back in the game by tomorrow.

avoiding "the crash"

It hits me every single day.  At 3:00.  Just as I'm walking out the door to pick up the kids and start the (even busier) second half of my day filled with homework, carpool, lessons, and practices. I used to grab a few cookies for the drive or something chocolate.  I rationalized, "I am going to burn this off with everything I'm doing this afternoon."  It really wasn't the calories  I should have been concerned about.  It was the aftermath of all those carbs.  I would get so incredibly tired this time of day.  Sometimes I would feel like I could literally fall asleep while driving my kids home from school.    And yes, as a mom, I feel tired a lot of time, but I had a little epiphany a few months back while making this drive home.  Maybe a little (healthy) change in that quick grab snack could help my energy level.  So.... this was the result.  

A smoothie loaded with "anti-crash" stuff like protein, vitamins, fiber, and fruit.  

This is my basic recipe:
4-6 T. Golden Flax (love this brand see below from Cosco).  Make sure it's cold pressed so the nutrients are retained.
1 1/2 c. Rice Milk (dairy can also crash me, sorry Wisconsin).
1 T. Agave ( Low glycemic index)
1/2 of a Frozen Banana
About 1 c. Other Frozen Fruit (anything you'd like... I love strawberries, blueberries, mangos, tropical blend or try combining flavors).  I also throw in a handful of baby spinach sometimes for a green smoothie.
*All of these measurements are approximate.  Change according to taste and desired thickness. Make sure to blend thoroughly.

HUGE difference in the way I now experience 3:00.  Tons more energy and an all-around happier mom.

Bonus:

I now have something to do (other than banana bread) with those just "over ripe"bananas.  Just peel them, wrap them in saran-wrap and freeze.  How's that for "fast food".

Enjoy!

Btw... I still have that chocolate now and again, just because I feel like it.

detour

On our back porch we have two large wrought iron light fixtures.  Shortly after we moved in six years ago, we discovered that the local birds loved building their nests in these fixtures. The basket shape at the bottom seemed to be a perfect fit for the small arizona finches.

Two years ago, we inherited two kittens, who grew up, and turned into ferocious hunters.  After two awful spring seasons with both moms and baby birds being killed, I started putting towels in the baskets to prevent the birds from building nests.

  Last week, after arriving home from our spring break (and before remembering to put in some towels) Sierra and I noticed two small birds traveling back and forth from one of the fixtures.  Then, a mama bird went into the basket and sat down. "Oh noooo!!!" I cried as we went out to investigate.  As we approached the light, she flew away.    I climbed up, peaked inside the basket, and sighed with relief.  No eggs. Yet.  But their was this.

A perfect little nest full of feathers, and twigs, and hard work,  and love. My heart sank.  I put a towel on top of the nest, climbed down,  and turned around just in time to see the mom and dad bird return together.  They both flew close to my head, chirping and circling in great distress.  It was obviously close to the time when this sweet mamma bird would lay her eggs, and now they had no home.  Sierra and I were both in tears.  I think it's one of the saddest things I've ever seen. 

But, I knew that if she laid her eggs in that nest, she would be killed and if her babies hatched, so would they.  Finding another home was their only chance of survival.

I thought about this all day.  I kept trying to work out other options in my mind, but there weren't any.  And then it hit me so hard. How often does our Heavenly Father choose to reroute us on our path of life?  How often do we think, "Why me?", "Why now?", or just plain, "Why?".  I've always believed that God directs us in the path  that's ultimately best for us (if we'll allow Him).   But, for some reason, this experience gave me a clarity that I haven't had before. A perspective of how hard it must sometimes be for our Heavenly Father to watch us hurt, but know that ultimately it's for a higher cause, a better outcome, a chance to live, and a chance for growth. I may not always be grateful for this rerouting, but I am always  grateful for the journey.

Brian Head, 2013

Spring break (according to my iPhone).

And a few from my camera.

And Victoria's camera (thanks Victoria!)

Great vaca with family and friends.  Just not long enough.