Life Scout

DSC_9579 My good friend in Sahuarita introduced me to this ribbon to keep a mother’s Scouting pins. I think it is a great idea and I enjoy the memories when I see the little Bobcat pin, his Arrow of Light, and others. (I’m missing the First Class pin.) There is only one rank left for Daniel: Eagle. He’s considering several ideas for his project and he’s working on the BIG 3 required merit badges that take 3 months to complete.

DSC_9566Here is Daniel receiving his Life rank last week. I love the looks on the leaders’ faces. I’m grateful for what Scouting teaches Daniel. I am thankful for men who take so much time to be with the boys and for their families who faithfully send them off to camp each month.

Richard and I find that a common theme in our conversation lately is milestones completed. Soon Daniel won’t be going on campouts each month. Timothy completed his final Pinewood Derby. Paige is driving. College, high school, and big decisions are coming. I hope that they have enjoyed childhood. I love watching them grow, even though it means that they don’t need me as much anymore. The process of the children gaining independence doesn’t allow me to be a constant spectator, but I am here, perhaps less involved on a physical level, but more involved on a spiritual level. I’m praying for them all day long.

General Priesthood Meeting and a New Suit

Our traditional pictures at the front door just before General Priesthood and General Young Women meetings may need to find a new location. It’s too sunny!

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We bought Daniel a new suit. The salesman asked him where he was going on his mission. Daniel is compiling a list of things that he’s heard lately that you would only hear in Utah.DSC_9570 DSC_9572On Sunday we went to Spring Lake to watch General Conference. There were a lot more flowers than we found last week. We roasted marshmallows outdoors. Grandpa let the boys use hatchets. It was a good time.

As we drove home, Mark exclaimed, “I love spring!” I do, too. I have poppies & irises from Spring Lake to introduce into my flower garden today once the April morning shower ceases. Hooray!

Easter Eggs in the Secret Garden

DSC_9529 DSC_9531 DSC_9532 DSC_9533-001 DSC_9539 DSC_9545 DSC_9551-001 DSC_9552-001 DSC_9553-001 DSC_9554-001The kids had their first Easter egg hunt in the Secret Garden at my parents’ cabin on Saturday. The annual Easter egg hunt is something we have heard about with a twinge of pain because we have never had the opportunity to be there. Well, this year we were THERE. And we loved it. Almost all of the cousins were there from my side of the family. I loved watching the dads hiding the eggs almost as much as I enjoyed watching the kids finding them.

Daniel took the photos of the spring flowers emerging on the property. At our house the bulbs are beginning to bloom in our front yard and it was a happy surprise to find a row of crocuses in our new flower beds. We planted some tulips, but the the beds are full of more varieties of tulip leaves than we planted. The daffodils arrived just in time for Easter. I miss my Arizona irises which are probably blooming right now, but living in Utah was worth every sacrifice.

General Young Women Meeting Year 5

DSC_9555Paige and I got to go to the Conference Center tonight to see the General Young Women Meeting.

It was a powerful experience. Even the art in the halls and the smiling ushers were special to me. I was so grateful that Paige and I could have this opportunity. When all of those young women began to sing the opening hymn I couldn’t join them. I just tried to breathe and wipe the tears away as quickly as possible.

I watched the General YW President before and after the meeting, walking about and greeting people. This taught me a lot about her leadership style and her capacity to love. People can teach us even when they aren’t speaking to us. She was just a tiny speck from where we were sitting, but I could see how people reacted to her focused attention and how she maneuvered from shaking hands with apostles to hugging a little 12 year old girl. It is a skill to be able to greet so many people in a meaningful way.

I love General Conference season. When I am listening to the apostles and other leaders, gospel living seems well within reach. Their words inspire me to do better.

San Francisco

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We like the Red and White Fleet. They have a good deal for a family our size and the boat ride is only an hour long, which is perfect for young kids.
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The kids liked to hear the tour through headsets.
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Beautiful Paige
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The boys wanted to tour the Liberty Ship in the background.
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We enjoyed the self-guided tour through the Liberty Ship. The boys tried out the bunks. We climbed up and down ladders and down into the engine room.
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The boys tested the gunner positions.

DSC_9326 DSC_9345 DSC_9358 It was a quick trip, but so much fun. There’s no place like San Francisco. For me, it holds memories of my grandparents and Aunt Kate who took me there a couple of times when I was a teenager. I like driving through Berkeley and seeing all of the pastel houses. I like the rolling hills. As I have been writing my grandmother’s history, I have learned quite a bit about the Bay Area. A piece of my history lives there.

Girls’ Weekend Year 2

the groupgirl'sweekend13Photo by Sarah Hainsworth via fancy remote

We celebrated a second annual Girls Weekend with the Sanchez women this month at Spring Lake. Activities included shopping at outlet stores, going out to eat, eating snacks, eating delicious soups and enchiladas that my mom prepared beforehand, yoga and essential oils with Becky, facials, a Victorian era chick flick, and a special morning choral reading of my mom’s book about her parents. I couldn’t be there the whole time, but we captured this moment with all of us together, promising we’d edit out the lower half of everyone’s ensemble. (wink!)

I have a few things to say about this photograph.

  • My little sister Susan is NOT that much taller than I am.
  • Paige is, however, that much taller than I am.
  • I did not get the memo about purple and blue. Even if I had, I don’t think I could have found something those colors in my closet.
  • This is a very happy picture. I smile when I see it.
  • These ladies are great company.