We had a great weekend. We spent Friday evening with Aaron, Jessica, Parker and Anna Rasmussen. They drove up from Kingwood, Texas on Friday evening and we met up at "Babe's", our favorite chicken-fried steak restaurant. For those who don't know Aaron and Jessica, they were our neighbors when we lived in Utah. Jessica cared for our kids while I worked. Aaron took a job last year that moved his family to the Houston area. It was so much fun to see them and let the kids play together. We ate dinner and then chatted until long after bedtime outside the restaurant as the kids played together in the yard. Saturday morning, we took the kids over to their hotel and let them all swim together. We enjoyed catching up with them. Matthew constantly talks about his friend Parker, and he finally got to spend some time with him. Who knew they would follow us to Texas?
Matthew is still nervous around water. We cannot get him to put his head completely under - not even in the bathtub. He does really well at doggy-paddle, but I think it's time for real swimming lessons. This was fun and a great tease - summer will be here before we know it.
Alyson had a birthday party in Grapevine Saturday afternoon. We dropped her off at the party place and the rest of us went window shopping. We looked at tile, carpet, wood floor samples, and furniture. Our big project over the next couple weeks is to paint practically the entire house. Thanks to our American Express rebate, we think we have just enough to do it all (painting, anyway). A friend from our ward at church is going to help me pick out the colors and do some re-decorating. This will be fun, but a lot of work!
Rachel is absolutely thrilled to be leaving for 4th grade camp early tomorrow. Our school is one of a few that sends the entire 4th grade to a special camp for 3 days! She has been wanting to pack her bags for weeks now. She is all ready to go and is trying her hardest to fall to sleep now. You can imagine she may be too excited to sleep much tonight!
Things are good for us. I am enjoying the Spring-like weather we've had lately. I LOVE SPRING. The trees are beginning to blossom - it reminds me of "Popcorn popping in the apricot tree!" I love the beautiful, vibrant colors of flowers this time of year. We just need more rain to help everything come back to life after winter.
Food for thought:
"As fearful as the daily news headlines are and even though there are violence and ominous uncertainty continually on almost every hand, there is no problem, national or personal, which could not be solved, and solved easily, if men and nations would turn their hearts and lives to God. It would be so simple.
He is our father, the actual father of our spirits. He is the father of all men. We are His children. He knows us; He loves us. He may not like all we do, but of one thing we can be sure—He loves His children. Yes, He is a loving Heavenly Father. And He is there.
How comforting and reassuring it is each day as we behold the wonders of the universe and this beautiful world on which we live. We can see His hand in the matchless order with which the heavenly bodies move and the delicate beauty of the flowers and trees and other growing things, all of them bearing silent witness of His existence." (Rex C. Reeve, Ensign, Nov. 1982)
Have a great week!