Mark, You are Loved

We had a wonderful day with you, Mark, beginning with a doorway decorated with balloons.

They were red, of course.

You walked into Mom’s closet and said, “Let’s look in the mirror and see how big I am now that I am 4.”

You opened gifts of Legos, playdough, and little critters while wearing your pajamas.

And then you were off to play.

Maria, our neighbor, decorated our door in your honor.

Maria visited over the fence during the pinata fun.

During scripture study, you asked, “Mom, now that I am 4, does this mean I can read?”

In the afternoon, we let you drive the little truck over to the grassy field. We played catch. You learned to throw a baseball (step, throw!) and fielded lots of grounders. Good job!

May all your wishes come true, little man.

Overdue

I am late wishing you all a Happy Mother’s Day. We made these hand prints yesterday. Paige’s hand was too big for the mold. These turn my heart. That little fluttery feeling is about the best thing about being a mother, next to the kisses from babies, giggles, homemade cards, and fingerprints on my door frame from little ones looking for me in the dark.

It was so nice to talk to my mom, the temporary mother of 180 missionaries.

These library books are overdue. We try to max out our library cards so we don’t have to go as often. I think they are an impressive sight, stacked in the entryway and ready to go.

Gila Valley Adventure

Today we went on an adventure to the Gila Valley in Arizona. It was a long drive but we took our friends with us and that made the drive more bearable.

We attended the Gila Valley Temple Open House. We forgot our camera. This was taken with my phone, but as you can see, heaven’s rays were clearly visible here.

In the most beautiful room in the temple, Mark planted his feet and gently resisted my efforts to move him away. All of the children said they liked this room best. I caught my breath and tried to keep my composure when I entered the room, too.

It was a nice place to visit, thinking of our 15th anniversary this week. We were married in the St George Temple.

I like this movie

Do you?

It was just digitally restored. The colors are amazing. Somehow you just love the characters. Everyone over the age of 6 liked this movie at our house.

I highly recommend The African Queen.

The Young Ross Women

General Young Women Meeting, 2010

Tonight we learned that deep beauty springs from virtue. We’re in the middle of our own stories, working toward a happily ever after. Our reaction to adversity determines the paths of our lives. We were encouraged to be strong and of good courage.

We saw it here. Watch the “video presentation” if nothing else!

Our photo from last year is here.

The Cause and the Cure

I have been feeling the effects of Post Traumatic Family Portrait Disorder. I won’t go into all the details, but I am unnerved. There were unfortunate choices made in our clothing and posture. The sun was in our eyes. We couldn’t find a decent new dress within 30 miles for Paige. A shortage of curlers, a mistake in the bangs/no bangs dilemma, a failed teeth-whitening attempt and sunburns just hours before the portrait. Oh, the ignominious defeat! I’ll blame the town, as usual. Shame on you, Sahuarita.

I’ll find consolation in the children’s portraits for a long time.

Monday

It’s the Monday after a big weekend. The laundry is going, school work is in progress, and the flowers in our backyard are beautiful.

What have we been up to?

ArtclassesDavisMonthanAirshowFamilyPortraitsSpeakinginchurchTeachingSunbeams(3-4yrolds)RestingWritingletterReadingRestingCryingand findingbeautyinthisdifficultplacetolive.

Biosphere 2

Today our studies took us into the Catalina foothills where the Biosphere 2 project still stands. In the late 80’s and early 90’s this was an experimental ecosystem. For two years, 8 “biospherians” lived in this sealed environment, testing whether it could be self-sustaining. This is a huge and impressive structure made of steel and glass and an intricate underground network which regulates temperature, humidity, winds, power, and  rain. There are very distinct ecosystems within the biosphere: savannah, ocean, desert, and rainforest. At the onset, there were 3800 species of plants and animals living in the structure. It served as a farm, living quarters, and research center.

P.S. Biosphere 1 is the earth itself.

We celebrated Richard’s birthday today. Guess what? The gift we gave him was THE RIGHT MODEL!! I’m so relieved.