The Garden

One of the best feelings of spring...

The garden is in. I wish the bulbs bloomed longer, but it was time to cut them down and get the veggie garden going. It feels good to have tomato plants, romaine, jalapeno & herbs from Berberian Farm in Northborough (plants starting at .50!) in our little garden plot. The work has begun. My Mother's Day rose bush is in a pot with some trailing vinca. The bright pink hanging geranium I found at Home Depot for $5 makes me smile, as do the perennials that are actually showing up (I'm always happily surprised when they do). Thank you to my little helpers, Caroline & Wesley. The garden is IN!

The garden story of the season is my chives. Remember the ice storm? I had my herb planter on the railing of our little deck. The wind from the storm knocked the planter on it's side on the deck floor. Winter's snow kept the planter buried. When the snow thawed I forgot about the planter since it was still too early to plant my herb garden. One day in March I looked out the kitchen door window and there was the chive plant growing sideways, but growing strong. I picked the planter up and set it back on the railing, trimming it a couple times when chives were needed in the kitchen. Fresh cut chives smell so good! Today was the first day I attempted to arrange the planter. It has been overcast & it even rained once I got the garden in...nice, huh?! I wonder how long it will take for my chives to straighten up? Maybe a good dose of sunshine will do the trick. For now, I've got a trailing chive plant & now you know how you can grow one too:D.

I {heart} perennials, my plants that actually grow, my little garden of hope & work... HOMEGROWN, and SPRING.

Two Candles

We started the day singing, "Happy Birthday to you!" Kisses! We sang some more and dug into your donut tower. Thanks for sharing!

You are So Much FUN! Zooming & crashing cars...

You're such a big helper too...our little dish washer (esp. when brownie crumbs are involved).

And our games..."chicken in a chicken," "I see you!," turtle, statue, whisper/"What?!?!!!" Prayers, lullabies, holding hands & chase. Poor thing; even when you stomp your foot and shout, "No!," we chuckle at your cuteness. Yes, we've had to play charades trying to figure out what in the world you want as you melt down in frustration, but even through tired, cranky, frustrated moments (like when you are certain you are starving), we adore you. Day after day you bring JOY...even on the day you pooped in the bathtub while your sisters were there. The room cleared (including you) in record time! We laughed until we cried.

A quote that has gone around the family....

You, my dear Wesley have been one of the great surprises of my life, and you are an answer to a lonely big brothers' prayers; a HUGE blessing from the start.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Wes!

Our wonderful ward family...

Last Saturday night was the Young Womens' camp fundraiser; the annual dessert auction/talent show. The poor economy has hit our ward hard and there are many who are unemployed, semi-employed (us), and/or effected in some adverse way by the economic downturn. I don't think anyone expected to witness the outpouring of support we saw on Saturday night.

The entertainment was light-hearted. I enjoyed talking with my friend, Whitney (You should follow her thoughtful & inspiring blog, Dare to Dream). As we were talking, laughter erupted. I looked at the stage, and there was Wayne and the YM presidency lip sync-ing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".....& Wesley, who had spontaneously joined them on stage. Wes even tried to copy his daddy's moves. Wayne picked Wes up at the end and they danced the few last seconds together. Great ward family moment!

The miracle of the night was that our ward family rallied together for our Young Women and raised enough money for each girl to go to Girls Camp this summer. Wayne's cheesecake went for $160! We have an amazing 20-something man in our ward who is quadriplegic. He couldn't attend the fundraiser, but he sent $$ with his mom...really amazing acts of generosity.

As things wrapped up, the rain came down & leave it to the youth to have a blast in a downpour. They even dragged beloved "Menzie" into the rain.

We LOVE our ward family & the fun, friendship & unity we share.

Mother's Day

After years of the corsages, bouquets, chocolates, and Mother's Day fan fare, I find myself in need of no such gifts. I feel FULL of joy today. Life has its challenges, but I feel rich with love.

Friday/Saturday- Grandma Ann sent a beautiful card....had fun catching up with her on the phone. Grandma Ilene called. We spoke for quite a while. She said some things that I needed to hear...made my day. Happy early Mother's Day.

Saturday, I felt compelled to drive with 4 kids in tow to our former ward to be there for an old friend while her oldest son was baptized. Her husband has battled cancer for 4+ years, and witnessing the significance of that milestone reminded me of what is of most worth. Perspective is everything.

Mother's Day....Thomas served me a breakfast omelet. Oodles of homemade cards came my way & a rose bush ready to plant first thing tomorrow...can't wait! Church was beautiful. Dinner was tri tip & veggies courtesy of Wayne + his homemade vanilla/heath bar ice-cream. I blogged with my headphones on listening to my music while Wes & Wayne watched race cars, little gals colored, and 2 big kids battled it out cleaning the kitchen. Bedtime's near... XOXOXOXOXO's. Called Ama...Wesley hollered, "Happy Mother's Day!!!!" over and over and over {& MoMo sang to me! Lucky!!!}. Oh, my little loves.

I'm thankful to be mother to our five children. I am thankful for MY mother who showed me a beautiful example of motherhood- sacrifice, bravery, tears, service, laughter, and all. She has profoundly effected my perspective on life and motherhood. I don't think I could miss her more than I do right now.

I love you, mom....everyday.

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love My MOM

10. I love my Mom because she made me a quilt.

9. I love my mom because she kisses me a lot.

8. I love my Mom when she tucks me in bed.

7. I love my Mom because she tells me to learn my time-tables.

6. I love to hear my Mom talk on the phone.

5. I love my Mom because she likes to snuggle with me.

4. I know my Mom cares because she let me name the baby.

3. I know my Mom is smart because she knows what six time six is.

2. I love my Mom because she helps me bake cookies.

1. I love my Mom because she's the BEST MOM EVER!

Happy Mom's Day, MOM! Love, Grace

Celebrating Thomas!

Recently we celebrated our Thomas and his entrance into "double digits." ...the big 1-0.

Oh, how we love our Thomas! (For me, you were love at first sight)

1. He and Wayne are regular fishing buds.
2. Thomas, we love that you are brave enough to share your voice- in song and in faith, and more recently in school...hurray for your personal best 4/4 on an oral presentation. You've come a long way this year & we're so proud of your progress.
3. You're not too cool to wear Grace's hot pink back pack for her as we walk home from school together.
4. One of my favorite things in the world is talking with Thomas, even if we're talking about not much at all.
5. He's not too cool to "hug-a-bug-a" Caroline.
6. Hearing him sing lullabies to his little brother at night, in particular "Stille Nacht" is heartwarming. And Wesley has nothing to fear if comfort is required....
7. Thomas' omelets are outstanding! Every now and then we even get breakfast in bed... just because.

Some time ago Thomas realized his birthday would fall on a fast Sunday. Rather than complain about not getting all 3 choices in birthday meals, Thomas focused on the one meal he'd have- dinner. After church he chose to make chocolate chip pancakes & blueberry pancakes for everyone....another reason to love our Thomas! After dinner we had cake and ice cream and presents....the pogo stick was a HIT!

On Monday for FHE we went to Kimball's and had ice-cream.

Thomas, you are stronger and smarter than you realize, and as your biggest fans, we wish you great things in the coming year. Thank you for all that you are and the great blessing you are to our family. We're so very thankful that you are our son & brother, and we LOVE oh, so much!

Leaving DC...& our stop in Philly

It looks like we'll have a photo book of just our spring break vacation!

I just found more photos...

Happy Aunt photo...

Our good-byes.... Oh, what we do for a group cousin photo!

Our last adventure.... a spontaneous stop in Philadelphia.

Independence Hall is a must. Christina and I did this tour last year, so I hung out with restless Wesley while Wayne and the rest of the kids heard the history and the reading of the Preamble....a wonderful tour.

The Supreme Court where Oliver Ellsworth (my ancestor) presided as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from March 8, 1796–December 15, 1800, and swore in John Adams.

The Liberty Bell

The Betsy Ross House

2 great options for classic Philly cheese steak...

We ate at Pat's & everyone gave it a thumbs up.