Time is Vanishing

I hope our house does.

Old stuff

Trying to do my best mom impression, I went along on Cooper's field trip last week. We saw a lot of old stuff and a lot of dead stuff. First we went to the pioneer cemetary. When Coop told me that was where we were headed, I didn't really believe him. He does mishear things sometimes, but sure enough that is where we went. We tromped through wet grass to look at pioneers who made an impact on Idaho History. Well, not the pioneers themselves...that would be inappropriate.

We then went to a park to eat where we shivered and shook until we got to go into the Idaho History Museum. I really like the stuffed 2 headed lamb and the portrait room showing pictures of child labor. Cooper's teacher took a ride on the wild side and I played chaperone to 7 very fun children. I was glad to get home and take off my soaking wet socks & shoes and think about how happy I am to be alive.

Get down

Hunter, much to his disdain, participated in our regional dance festival. Kurt, Cooper & I had a blast watching him and A LOT of other youth shake their money makers. For the opening and closing number, which included a little too much gyrating, Hunter held the flag off to the side, but he did participate in one dance number and the only reason I have proof is because I found the picture on his dance partner's (for that part) blog. I stole it. But I'm giving her credit...thanks Ashley. Let me tell you, Hunter was fantastic. I had no idea. Work it Hunter!

Surprise!

About a week or so ago, Hunter worked up enough courage to ask a girl to prom. He wasn't going to go to prom until his senior year, but since we are moving he wanted to go with his friends here. He made a little basket with eggs. Some of the tiny eggs held golden chocolate eggs with a one word message and the young lady put them all together, they spelled out an invitation to prom.

He's been waiting, not quite with baited breath, but waiting nonetheless. Last night he got home about 11:15pm from work. About 11:30pm there was a BANG, BANG, BANG on the door. We were in bed, but still awake. A few seconds later, Hunter came into our room carrying the yummiest looking cake with a little flag designating the whole thing to Hunter, even the muffin on top. Darn!!

Like excited little puppies, Kurt & I followed Hunter into the kitchen, possibly hoping for a piece of the delicious looking concoction. We had no idea was the "EEE" on the muffin meant, but we figured it was buried in the cake. Hunter started to cut the cake when it became very apparent it was not a cake at all.

Kurt & I helped him scrape off all the frosting only to find a phone book. Ahhh, not "EEE", "333". The search through the frosting edged phonebook began. One section after another, Hunter flipped and prodded. Until finally, with blue frosting fingers, he found what he had been looking for. "Yes".

Good Old Days

Remember waking up in the early hours of Easter morning and tiptoeing downstairs to see if the Easter Bunny had filled your basket? Magically, every year baskets were filled and dreams fulfilled.

Remember getting a new dress or finding your best dress and taking care to look extra special for church? Everyone would admire each other and fill fresh and renewed.

Remember coming home and changing as the air began to fill with the mixture of sweet and salty smells permeating from the kitchen. Then, sitting down to a smattering of all of our favorite dining pleasures and eating to our hearts content.

Remember playing with cousins and laughter coming from the "adult" room? Somehow the kitchen sparkles as you try to sneak one more piece of candy. The day is full and long and you wish it would never end.

I loved those days. Now, it's more like this: Start baking and cooking Saturday, even though there is only four of you. Wait for the wee ones to sleep (one of which gets home at 1am), then deciding to set the alarm early to help the bunny with the baskets. After rising for that task, more cooking. Then enjoying the faces of your youngest as he explores the goodies, but having to wake up the oldest and beg him to come downstairs.

Quickly throwing on some clothes to make it to church on time where you finally can relax and feel the true spirit of the day. Unfortunately, church is only 3 hours long. You race home to get the ham in while making sure the crew eats something other than sugar. Then, fix 3 more dishes and enlist the help of the hubby to cut the strawberries for planned dessert. Dinner seems to last about 3 minutes before tummies are full and dishes are waiting. Once again, hubby to the rescue (with a teensy bit of prompting). Incorporated in the day is an egg hunt for the young one. Myself and the older one hide them in unique, hidden places and then giggle as we watch the young one flounder.

The day is ended with scripture and prayer. I love these days as well. Happy Easter.

Gettin' the fabulous word out

First, my sister is having another vinyl giveaway at her online store Cottage Quotes. You don't want to miss out on it, so hurry over and leave a comment.

Second, I have an incredibly creative friend here in Meridian who has started doing flowers for weddings and formal dances. Her prices are incredible and the product is top notch! Go take a peek at Kristen Whitby Weddings and Kristen Whitby Flowers.

Third, don't forget to check out the gorgeous jewelry at my sister-in-law Heidi's site, My Favorite Things Jewelry. Her latest pieces are beautiful.

Last, my super scrappin' sister-in-law Jennifer has started an online scrapbook kit store. She has been doing this quite a while and is very talented. Go to Lotts to Scrap About and splurge a little.

I can hook you up. Don't even get me started on Sheena's photography!!!!

Change

Yesterday. Four simple words sent my in to an emotional tail spin. "I got the job". A moment we've been waiting for, praying for, hoping for. In that moment I called family and denied the possibility that I was playing a cruel April Fools joke. Then, it hit me. It hit hard. We are moving. We are moving which means packing, cleaning, errand upon errand, selling our home in a tough economical situation, new schools, new dentists, new doctors. Leaving our friends. Those people who have changed us in this place. Who have laced our life with joy and fun. Who have encouraged and supported us through difficult times. Who have guided, loved, and embraced our children. Then I felt dizzy, my mind swimming with seemingly unmanageable tasks and my emotions torn between the people we love in the places we love.



I couldn't do my homework. I couldn't do housework. I became paralyzed, gripped by the overwhelming nature of the moment. Sleep was difficult. I couldn't get comfortable. I couldn't relax. Thoughts were whirling, swirling, colliding in my head, but, eventually, I succumbed. And morning brought perspective.


A job. We have a job again. Yes, we'll be leaving the physical location of our friends, but we live in a digital age and have the opportunity to maintain and cultivate friendships with the click of a mouse. How dare I act so silly? Our prayers were answered. Goodbyes are a thing of the past. I've always hated them anyway. I've had the opportunities to enlarge my circle of friends and they have made me a better person. I've been so blessed. Now, I'll return to the vast blue sky of Montana, to the place of my birth, to friends and family I left not long ago. Clarity. Life is good. Have hope. Embrace faith. Celebrate relationships and cherish growth. Montana here we come.