Here I Am!

Okay, I think for this post, in order to save time and my sanity, I'm just going to post pictures and comments regarding them. Pictures and videos will not be in chronological order.

Today at church Meg got a few pictures with her best buddy. When we got home from church last week Meg was telling me about something that happened in her Primary class. Apparently, and I've seen pictures of this, the kids in their class (on their own) set out their chairs when they get to class. The boys always sit on one side, and the girls always sit on the other side. Then there's Meg and KK who do sit right next to each other on the girl's side of the room. Well, last week the kids set up the chairs, and then KK needed to use the restroom. Ellie, a little girls in the class, sat in KK's chair next to Meg. Meg very kindly told her that that was KK's seat. I was told by KK's mom that Meg had all the girls scoot down a chair so that KK could have his seat when he came back, and then Meg set up another seat on the other side of KK so that she could still sit by him. These two just make my heart smile so much!! 

 Just Molly and Me hanging out in my blue heaven after a long day

 Myles has been busy taking care of his flower garden and adding more flowers. He just bought gladiola bulbs. He also purchased an orchid and another succulent.

 



 




Chris surprised me with flowers (on Wednesday) at the end of a very stressful day. It was stressful all for a good reason. He got word that he starts Boeing on April 12th. Now I'm just trying to figure a new budget and trying to get doctor appointments and medications coordinated before insurance switches. We are super excited for this new and exciting opportunity that Heavenly Father has given Chris and our family.

We took a nice walk while Elsa was at her violin lesson. Meg got tired, and Myles volunteered to give her a piggy back ride.

 

 The weather has been so funny this month. It's been warm, then snowy, then warm, then snowy again, and then sunny but windy. Myles was cat sitting for a couple in our ward. They live just around the corner, and we decided to go for a walk after he fed the cats. The wind gusts were up to 35 mph. It was funny watching the kids jump up and down but get pushed backwards.

 
 Myles enjoying the falling snow.

 

 We had this gorgeous sunset only to have a snow storm the very next day.
 
 We were gorcery shoping in Vancouver. As we approached Battle Ground there was snow all over the road and it was coming down really heavy. Cars were at a crawl and some were spinning out. It was so weird because I had no idea we were supposed to get snow and it was nice and clear just 15 minute south where I had come from.

 

For family game night we played Monopoly. We ended up saving everything so that we could play the next Sunday too. Myles chose to use his own tokens.

 
 
 Myles took time out to play a hand clapping game with Meg; it was so sweet.

 

 

 Molly got green bows in her hair so she could properly celebrate St. Patrick's day. We watched Darby O'Gill and the Little People and listened to a rendition of "Oh Danny Boy' to celebrate the occasion.

 

 We cleaned out the garage as a family. Here is one of our happy helpers.

While cleaning out the garage Myles came across Christopher's old messenger bag and asked to have it. He is now using it as his Sunday bag. Last Sunday he came to me and  said "I imagine this is similar to what I'll look like in a few years on my mission."

 I've been getting a feel for when the kids will be finishing up their schoolwork for the year, and I decided to go ahead order books for next year. The plan is just to continue math during the summer to keep it all fresh in their brains. I had come across an idea to help Meg with her phonics. Rather than spend the money I made my own picture cards. I wish I had my artists here. At least I drew well enough for Meg to recognize what everything is.

 Aeva said she was homesick and wanted some pictures of Molly. This is one that I sent her.

 

 Elsa decided to embroider some Kleenex:

 Myles building with pretzel sticks:

 I tried a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies. This has got to be my most favorite recipe I've ever tried. Let me know if you want the recipe. I used refined coconut oil in them. They are so delicious!!

 I made this yummy soup. I loosely based it off of the Zuppa Toscana soup at Olive Garden. There are no potatoes in it or sausage. I did put kale and cauliflower in it, as well as diced ham and some bacon crumbles. It was so yummy. I've been trying some new recipes, tweaking some old ones, and I've eliminated all oils except for avocado, coconut, and olive. I'm trying to be more healthy in that department. I may have already posted about this soup. If I have, I apologize for the repeat.

 Elsa is just flourishing with her new violin teacher. It usually only takes her a day to memorize her one or two pieces that she is given to learn each week. She loves being able to play along with the audio clips her teacher sends.

 First day learning "Classical Sounds" 
 

 Day #2 with "Classical Sounds"

It's been a crazy month for Elsa's dance lessons. Her teacher is trying to find a new place to give lessons up here in Vancouver. Last week we had to cancel last minute because Elsa had a crazy allergic reaction to something. We think possibly to avocado. I ended up having to run her to Urgent Care where they gave her a steroid to stop the reaction more quickly because the medicine I had given her at home was not helping at all. Thankfully she was not having trouble breathing. Although she's only had one lesson this month she is working hard on her Lilt and Seann Triubhas. She'll miss the next competition in April, but she is planning to attend the June competition in Tacoma. She is also applying for two scholarships to help with her dance lessons and costumes. We are really praying that she can receive at least one scholarship.

 

 

Chris has been busy cleaning out his desk at work, preparing for his last day, and he brought home the bike he has been building at work. It's not quite finished.

The girls are doing well. They've been busy with classes and homework, quizzes, papers, and exams. They've been going to see some foreign films there at BYU and counting down the days that they get to come home. Rhaevyn wrote and hosted a murder mystery. Aeva got to play a character in the murder mystery. Rhaevyn also went out on a date. That was pretty exciting news 😃 She has also become a pen pal to her roommate's boyfriend's mission companion. Apparently, he is from the state of Washington also, and he thought it would be nice to write someone from his home state. Turns out he is from Vancouve, and we know a couple people in his home ward. Small world!! I'm trying to psyche myself up for the trip I get to take without Chris to go pick them up. I'm trying to have positive happy thoughts and praying that all will go smoothly and there won't be any snags. The other three children had been praying so hard that Chris would be able to come, but now that he has an actual start date they are having to face the reality that he won't be coming along with us. They are trying not to be too disappointed.
With all that news I'll leave you with the latest art that Aeva sent to us last night.