Ok, I admit it! I am not good at Facebook, I can't tweet, and as you can tell, blogging is on the list of "when I get 'round to its". In this day of technology, all of these tools are at our fingertips and I just can't seem to grab a hold. Sorry to those of you who look for more regular updates from the Fort Worth Ankeney's!
We are all doing very well. David continues to fill his days with carpools, scout projects, coaching baseball, and the "honey-do" items. I was so pleased to come home from work this last Friday and found he had cleaned the house - yes, I didn't have to spend my only true day off cleaning toilets - what an awesome husband! He truly does take care of me and the kids, and I don't show him enough how much I love him!
Rachel developed some close friendships with girls from church and school this year. She spends every waking moment calling, texting or spending time with them. She is still excelling in her school work as well as playing the tuba in the band. She picked up another musical instrument over Christmas and she is diligently teaching herself how to play her acoustic guitar. We are hoping that we can find time and money this summer for a couple guitar lessons to help give her the foundation. When I look at her, I cannot believe how grown she is. She is turning into quite the marvelous young woman!
Alyson is now in the "preteen" phase of life and trying to find her own identity. She has a couple good friends that she likes spending time with; she is VERY disappointed on those days no one can play. At times I may have complained, but my favorite thing with Alyson is the evening call to my cell phone asking, have you left the office? when will you be home? and of course, what's for dinner? I feel deprived on the nights she is too busy to call and query me. Alyson's art talent is really coming out. Last week, I made a comment that I would not be opposed to her painting a murel on her wall. The next question was, "Can we go to Home Depot to buy paint tonight?" Well, hmm....maybe this summer.
Matthew is our sport maniac. This spring has been busy with soccer and baseball. His #1 favorite sport prior to this year was soccer. He is now saying it is baseball. He has been privileged to take a few private lessons from Benji Gil who used to play for the Texas Rangers. He has drastically improved his swing and is working on pitching and catching ground balls. Matthew saved the game last week when bases were loaded and he was thrown in as a relief pitcher - he walked one player but then struck out the next three, securing the first win of the season for his team. The next game was not as successful, but Matthew is learning. School, well, school is ok. Matthew has straight A's but we battle every night getting him to complete his homework and reading.
I am staying busy with family, work, and church. Things have slowed a little over the last two weeks and I have been able to catch a breath - even to the point, I feel guilty sitting down to watch a movie or take a nap. I'll get over the guilt quickly, I'm sure! We enjoyed a night as a family at Six Flags Friday. The kids had a blast! I am getting too old for amusement parks, though. Too many twists, twirls, and bumpy roller coasters do me in a lot faster than years ago. It was worth it just to see the kids faces and listen to their excitement. I love my family!
Quotes for the week:
"The most important cause of our lifetime is our families. If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives ... put everything you do outside the home in subjection to and in support of what happens inside your home."
("That the Lost May Be Found", M. Russell Ballard, April 2012 General Conference)
"The most important ... work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes."
(Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee [2000],134)