Spring Break

I don't feel like we had much of a break. Curtis had two baseball games and two practices, the girls still had two dance days, Brandon still had his practices and a game, I taught most of my piano students and we still had church activities. So I guess no school and no seminary did at least allow us to sleep in but I felt even busier because I still had to do all the same stuff but with the kids around and needing my attention too. Lily got her to-do list done though; she picked out a prom dress and mostly figured out her BYU classes for the fall. 

Monday night's game was at home and a blow out against the poor other team. Since we are usually on that end, I felt badly but Curtis did a great job at shortstop and it was nice to get a win. Tuesday's game was up in Waldorf but since I had the time I drove up there and watched it and they lost 1-2. I chatted with my mission friend all the way up there and listened to a podcast on the way home and enjoyed the alone time. Curtis had also done some of his driving with the drivers Ed place that morning so I was up to Leonardtown, to the library, back to pick him up, down to GMHS and then up to Waldorf and then back to school to pick him up from the bus then home. 

Wednesday I still went to the gym and grocery store but it was nice to have help to put it all away and then that night we had youth activities. Thursday was a friend day. Brandon had Eli over to play most of the day and Emma had Ellie over in the evening to decorate cupcakes and Lily went to lunch with some friends and Curtis had a four-hour practice with his pals. Josh and Brandon went to see the Mario movie that night and Brandon loved it. He's been waiting for months for it to come out so he was happy to finally go.

Friday was the one day we didn't have anything planned and I wanted to go do a fun day trip or something but my kids just weren't feeling it and I didn't feel like making them do anything. So they did some cleaning and practiced the piano and then they kind of did their own thing the rest of the day. I did take the girls to Old Navy and JCPenny and then we went into Belk (which I haven't done in 10 years) and that was rather successful and nice but by the evening I was ready for some time away from my dear children so when Lily went off to babysit, I told the other three good luck and I took Josh out for a dinner of his choice and to see Project Hail Mary as an early birthday present. We loved the movie and had a nice evening. 

Saturday we went to Brandon's flag football game and then watched General Conference. Then we did our egg hunt and then more conference, then Josh made smash burgers and he watched basketball. Sunday was Easter and we got up and the kids had to find their baskets  (shocker: Lily found hers first this year!) and we had pancakes and dyed eggs and watched more conference. During the sessions Lily, Josh and Brandon made apple fritters and then when it was done I made chicken cordon Bleu and cheesy potatoes and Lily made biscuits (because I had forgotten to start the rolls in time) and we had a lovely dinner. Emma had made a carrot cake for dessert but we were all too full so we saved it for FHE treat Monday night. 

It was a lovely weekend. General Conference was really uplifting and beautiful and I loved sitting around with my family listening all weekend. I'm so grateful for a living prophet to guide and lead. It hit me that this is Lily's last conference at home and I did get so sad. Her last Easter home, her last conference, her last time celebrating Emma's birthday with her, combined with Brandon's last few weeks in elementary school and his last year of getting up later and my last kid at Evergreen after 13 years--it has all made me kind of sad and anxious at the same time. But we all enjoyed conference and I felt my question was at least started as far as getting an answer and the music was beautiful and I just love Jesus. We have tried to be more intentional about celebrating Easter  and it has been a process but I got more decorations this year and our scripture study was focused on Holy Week and we went to the ward activity and listening all day to apostles and church leaders bear witness of Jesus Christ and his atonement and resurrection certainly helped too. It is all so beautiful and wonderful and it filled me with so much gratitude. 

Monday I enjoyed having some quiet and alone time getting laundry done and taking back the house a bit and then I went to Curtis's game (a bit late because of piano) in time to watch my boy get a nice line drive that brought in two runners and helped them win the game! One of the teachers was there too and asking about the third baseman because her 8th grade daughter thought he was super cute. I happened to overhear and thought it was so funny. Today was a perfectly efficient and balanced day. I went to Inklings for my social/spiritual time, I ran some birthday errands, I subbed at a cute little elementary school for PE and had so much fun (kids say the most random things and it was hilarious today) and then I did grocery pick up, taught three piano lessons, picked up Curtis and we took Josh out for his birthday dinner at Nicolletti's. We've got some serious celebrating to do the rest of the week!