Mural Progress

I have a funny tradition for general conference. I like to spend my Saturday conference painting while I listen. It keeps my hands busy and my mind free and open and I really look forward to it every six months! We started this when I was pregnant with Lincoln and I've painted through most Saturday conferences since then (usually just a plain color in a room).

Today I've worked really hard on the mural in the boys room. I am exhausted and so excited to get it all put together again. Here are a few images of how it is going so far and some of the pictures that I've made to hang on the wall to give it some color and dimension.

Ill add more pictures when it is all put together. And Jeff will just be happy because that means they'll be in their own beds again!

FHE & Skis

We did a family home church this Sunday. Lincoln had a pretty rough time with allergies and asthma after our "nature walk," so we didn't think he was up for church on Sunday. We were also going to have a big day with funeral arrangements and such. We decided to have church at home and do an extended family home evening. We both planned a lesson and the kids did really well. Jeff set out little chairs for them and had them sit like they would in primary. I think we will keep that as a tradition as it seemed to work a lot better than our usual plan for FHE. I looked up what they were studying in primary this month in the Friend magazine and showed them a picture of President Monson. We "followed" the prophet from room to room and talked about things he has asked us to do (kitchen - eat healthy foods, closet - dress modestly, living room - read our scriptures, etc.). Jeff taught them why Jesus was called the good shepherd. He had Jackson dress up as a shepherd and lead the rest of us as we crawled behind him "baa"ing our little hearts out. Now when Jackson sees the scriptures he opens them and points... saying, "baa, baa."

The bottom picture is of the boys "skiing" down the hill in Granny and Papa's new back yard. They've just moved to a new house and we were there helping them unpack and build a few pieces of furniture. The boxes and styrofoam pieces provided hours of fun for the boys!

Grandma Geneva

Jeff's paternal grandmother passed away last Friday and we attended her funeral yesterday. I would like to pay tribute to the things that she taught me. I didn't get to know her very well as she has suffered from Alzheimer's Disease the entire time I've known her. Despite the fact that she didn't always know who I was or which children belonged to whom, there are things that I observed of her personality that were very meaningful. She was quiet and kind. She had the most endearing southern accent and everything she said was about how nice things were, what a beautiful child or a lovely day. She would comment again and again about how precious the babies were. She surrounded herself with green things and loved to garden and be in nature. I look forward to getting to know her more when we are reunited in the life to come.

Late, but cute

I just got these cute egg decorating pics from my mom. This didn't take long, but was a lot of fun!