Zion

The photos are in chronological order.

There is a book called Cherry Pies and Lullabies (Amy, I remember you posting about this book too. It made me happy.). In it, it talks about traditions. It says that each time they are the same but also how each time they are different. That is exactly our Zion tradition. Every time was so similar but also so different. With all the changes the park is making I had thought that our fun was over.

Going to Zion has always involved getting wet. I remember getting irritated skin from having to walk back from the narrows pollywog pond in wet jeans. It also meant smelling the smell only moss in Zion has. The smell of my youth.. On this trip they were alive again. We climbed up rocks and found a cold pool with climbing rocks and little fish. Clara and John both got properly soaked. This is important! When Clara fell in Mom told her "You are in good company. Every one of your aunts and uncles and there cousins had the same experience." The funniest thing about it was that I had always known the little creek was there. I had just never been there because we went other places.  I am glad that it can be the same, but different.

The hunt went well. The food good. A little throwing of the football. A trip to Weeping Rock with a darling photo op. Cousin hugs. Life is good and I seriously love this tradition.

Grandma Clara's Funeral

 This last Thursday we went to Preston for Grandma Clara's funeral.  It was a a celebration of her life rather than simply a mourning of her passing, and definitely had her personality.   There were many tears, but also many smiles and a lot of laughter.  You've lost that Loving Feeling rang out at the graveside as she had requested.  The funeral was full of song and joyful celebration of a wonderful exemplar and matriarch. She will be remembered with fondness.

John Donne

Meditation XVII

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

 

Death Be Not Proud

 

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.      

 

 

We have had three funerals in the last two months. So, I have been thinking about these a lot.  John Donne says it so well. It has been a good time for prayer, reflection and gratitude to Heavenly Father. 

One

Margaret and Grandpa.
Angel food cake and strawberries.
Balloons and banners.
Family and friends.

Please note how you can see Kelly and me in the photo of John. It is a new favorite!

Books and Bagels

Clara's school had a morning activity were you go and eat bagels and read a book together. She wanted to go but I like my routines to not change too much. Instead we went to the 5th Street Bagelry with the Mayos! We read a book about spring coming, The Biggest Snowman Ever, Big Bad and a Little Bit Scary and Heckey Peg. Then the children colored and Jamie and I chatted. It was exceedingly peasant.  
Clara and Ashtyn have both lost the same tooth.

Wrestling

It was a beautiful day despite the brown grass.
On the chasing photo I think my hair blew in the photo. I still loved it.
Kelly took many kicks in the face.
The last one Kelly has no head.

On John

From the begining John has been good at writing. He holds his pencil properly and forms his letters correctly. Coloring was the last thing we would do in nursery and our family would frequently have to wait for John because he was working hard finishing his picture. he stays in the lines and filling in so nicely. I am so proud of him. He is kind and learning so many things. I love spending time with him.

Cup

Margaret is working on her drinking skills. She excitedly grabs the cup and puts it up to her mouth. Then she holds it in one hand and dumps the water out. I am always surprised with how much I wipe up. I give her so little but when the water is flat on the try it seems like a lot.  She is also getting a tooth on the bottom!

Idaho Natural History Museum

We loved going to the Idaho Natural History Museum last Friday. They has a fun children's room that had awesome puzzles, masks, bones, rocks,  a fun weaving board, etc.  Clara and Ashtyn are a cute pair and John and Corrine try to keep up. We also headed over to the art gallery that was in the bottom of the fine art building. I was underwhelmed.  Maybe they will get something worth looking at the next time we go?  I loved that the afternoon was free, close, and full of movement. But the best part was having some friends to go and do something with.  Thanks Jamie!

Isabelle

 It was so fun to run over and check out my friends new baby. What a darling! She makes lots of cute baby noises. She was resting peacefully and I bugged her enough to wake her up. But we got some fun photos taken.

Beading

Life's Mirror

The poem doen't really go with the photo in any way but I have had this thought on my mind. I recall hearing this poem as a young person and really took it into my heart and soul.

By Madeline S. Bridges

There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true;
Then give to the world the best that you have,
And the best will come back to you.

Give love, and love to your life will flow,
A strength in your utmost need;
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your work and deed.

Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind,
And honor will honor meet;
And the smile which is sweet will surely find
A smile that is just as sweet.

Give sorrow and pity to those who mourn;
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds from your thought outborne
Though the sowing seemed but vain.

For life is the mirror of king and slave,
'Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best that you have
And the best will come back to you.